level buy-in, tailor your approach to each stakeholder's role. Your sur-
geons need to be approached differently than OR staff. Consider
focusing on a quick elevator speech for surgeons as they tend to focus
on how the participation can make their busy lives easier. If we spoke
to physicians, the message was fact-filled: The patient can go home
earlier, there will be a lower chance of surgical site infections and you
will be reducing recovery times, which could ultimately allow you to
do more cases.
Your OR staff wants to know how patient warming will improve the
patient experience and clinical outcomes. If you want to alter their
day-to-day work pattern, it better be justified through a patient bene-
fit. You need to explain how "as patient advocates" the benefits to
those in their care is worth the extra work. Make it personal for them.
Administration needs to see some clear return on investment and,
ideally, how the move can save your facility money. If you customize
an approach to each stakeholder's needs, the buy-in comes quicker
and easier. But remember, conversations constantly need to be rein-
forced with all stakeholders, as they have many moving parts in their
day and require constant reminding.
OSM
4 2 • O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J U L Y 2 0 2 0
Mr. Buchert (jdbuchert@att.net) is a quality specialist for surgical and trau-
ma services at Parkland Hospital in Dallas.
