In this episode, I talk with Steve Diaz, M.D., chief medical officer at MaineGeneral Health in Augusta and an AHA board member. Steve is an emergency medicine physician by training and has been involved in many of MaineGeneral’s health care quality and safety initiatives.

We focus on many aspects of patient safety, including accountability, prioritizing teamwork, overcoming barriers — particularly in rural emergency care — and using artificial intelligence. Steve describes how AI can help improve care management, personalize treatment plans, support administrative tasks and more.

Creating a culture of safety at MaineGeneral has included “flattening” the hierarchy and recognizing people who speak up, Steve explains. He discusses how to measure a culture of patient safety, handle quality reviews, and have difficult conversations to address challenging issues and behaviors — and then provide support and follow-up. “We want our team to know that we walk the walk,” Steve emphasizes. “If we say we’re going to hold people to this standard, we follow through no matter what.”

I hope you find these conversations thought provoking and useful. Look for them once a month as part of the Chair File.

Watch the episode

 


Related News Articles

Perspective
When a natural disaster or emergency strikes, where is one of the first places people turn to? Their local hospital.That’s because hospitals and health systems…
Headline
Baxter announced that it is increasing the current U.S. allocation levels of its highest-demand IV fluids for direct customers from 40% to 60%, and for…
News
The increasing number of public health emergencies in the U.S., including mass violence incidents and natural disasters, highlight the need for enhanced…
Headline
The Federal Emergency Management Agency Sept. 30 lifted the immediate needs funding status for its disaster relief fund, as Congress provided additional…
Headline
The AHA's Institute for Diversity and Health Equity has extended until Oct. 15 the deadline to apply for the 2025 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Awards,…
Headline
AnMed’s dedication to implementing language services and community engagement strategies to eliminate health care disparities and improve patient quality…