SURGEONS' LOUNGE
SHARING THE HATS
Delegating Those Non-Patient Care Tasks
We have all heard it before: The key to effective management is delegation. But, if you're like me, sometimes it's hard to let go. What if the ball gets dropped? The problem is that either we can't get it all done well, or, worse, we trust it's getting done and it's not. If we take a team approach to all those jobs and documents we need to maintain, where each team member has clearly assigned roles, documents her activities and reports at monthly scheduled facility meetings, delegation may just work. Here are some "hats" you may want to put on key staff members.
• Safety officer. A cautious, rule-following staff member will shine wearing this hat. She can do facility walk-throughs, complete a safety checklist, keep your OSHA injury logs updated, maintain your Exposure Control Plan and test your eye wash station. Let her coordinate with your hazardous waste company. She can even shop for a "safer sharps" product for annual evaluation and make sure your spill kit is maintained.
• Emergency preparation nurse. You probably already know who wears this hat. She's already checking the crash cart supplies and equipment. Formalize her responsibilities to include reviews of emergency policies and forms, emergency training, coordinating drills,
LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD Heavy lies the head of the facility manager who tries to do it all herself.
