Minnesota Healthcare      Quality Professionals

Return to Newsletters Table of Contents BETWEEN THE LINES: Message From the President By Beth Green As my time as President nears to the end, I would like to comment on working in quality improvement. Last year when the former Board was leaving their positions I stated that I would stay another year as President if individuals came forward to help me. And they did! Why I asked myself did I do that? I was willing to commit to another year because I believe that working in quality improvement is important work. I also remember when I first began working on quality improvement projects how hard it was to read about a tool and then try to use it. It is not like you can attend a yo-year program and graduate with a degree in quality improvement. This is work that you learn on the job and usually while doing another job. But isn't that the point. Quality is everyone's job. And it has never been more important. See the headlines below. "RAND Study Confirms Correct Care Given Less Than 60% of the Time" Now is the time for quality professionals to make a difference and be recognized for their work. So what do we do? I would like to remind you of a physics theory; the theory of chaos sometimes referred to as the "Butterfly effect". The flapping of a single butterfly's wing today may produce a tiny change in the state of the atmosphere. Over a period of time, what the atmosphere actually does diverges from what it would have done. So, in a month's time, a tornado that would have devastated the Indonesian coast doesn't happen. Or maybe one that wasn't going to happen, does. Let us assume that this theory of chaos is true - and there is a lot of evidence to support it, - what would happen if every quality professional became like a butterfly did something - however small - to promote the profession. Yes, I know that we would all like a 30 second commercial spot on 60 Minutes or a series of ads in the New York Times or People magazine, but we don't have the millions of dollars that it would cost. Even if we did, would it be enough? What would we do? What if every quality professional told their neighbor or one 4th grade class about our profession? Imagine the storm we could create!! I challenge you to use your imagination how you could do one small act to promote your profession. Maybe it is reading your journal and discussing an article with a colleague, or explaining why they should belong to their professional association. Maybe it's when someone asks what you do - do you say I work at the hospital or clinic - or do you say I am a quality professional, let me tell you how I make a difference. Our patients are depending on our ability to improve they quality of healthcare. I invite you to join me in creating a storm. CPHQ Exam Since I just finished taking the CPHQ exam, I thought I would share my experience with you. The electronic testing process is quite impressive. When you leave the testing center (which was in Fridley) you know whether or not you passed the exam. I can say that I am glad that I waited until now to take the exam. Because the CPHQ has become an international certification the test no longer includes JCAHO or Medicare standards. Finally, the study guide by Janet Brown was invaluable in preparing for this exam.   It is important that all members of MHQP know you are invited to attend Board Meetings. If you have questions, feel free to contact the Board Members. Quality Line and Between the Lines are designed to provide members information on vital issues in Minnesota healthcare, trends, CQI methodologies, legislation and news about our organization. Published quarterly in Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. Editor: Patricia Beilke Beilke.Patricia@mayo.edu