Busting myths in
healthcare management
A dozen at a time
Myth 1
Quality can be measured
No
(But, Quality Improvement
can be measured)
Myth 2
Publications and
guidelines (national) are a good source of evidence (for QI)
No
(Often published evidence
is invalid, not robust enough or gets outdated soon. Guidelines are rarely
tried in their totality before being recommended)
Myth 3
Increasing Quality
Increases Cost
No
(Improving Quality
Decreases Cost)
Myth 4
Improving Quality Improves
Safety
Often No
(Improving Quality
Improves Quality, Improving Safety Improves Safety. According to definitions
they are two different things.)
Myth 5
Management by
Objectives/Targets are good (for QI)
No
(Targets especially
mandatory ones are prone to scamming)
Myth 6
Above Average is a Good
Indicator of Quality
No
(Averages are flawed.
Averages are not real)
Myth 7
A high percentages of good
things and a low percentages of bad things are good indicators of quality improvement
May be but not really
(Percentages could be
misleading. Percentages are not real numbers)
Myth 8
Culture Can Be Changed
No
(Processes can be changed
and that may change culture)
Myth 9
All Directors in the Board
of Directors are Leaders
No
(Leaders are follower
defined not position defined)
Myth 10
Management Principles are
the same for Healthcare as in any other field
No
(The frontline in
healthcare is unique and very different)
Myth 11
Errors can be eliminated
(in healthcare)
No
(Errors
can be reduced but cannot be eliminated. But harm can be eliminated.)
Myth
12
Human
Factors is about Changing Behaviour
No
(Human
Factors is about changing Design)
You can learn more about these from many sources (eg. University of Hull http://successinhealthcare.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/msc-in-healthcare-improvement-leadership.html or enquire about a bespoke course http://www.successatmedicalinterviews.co.uk/Courses.aspx )
©M HEMADRI
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M Hemadri’s mini e-book 'Standardised Management Conversation' is available - click http://www.amazon.co.uk/Standardised-Management-Conversation-Hemadri-ebook/dp/B018AWBJTU
