AFMS - Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) - Command Surgeon (SG)

12/11/2018

This month Trusted Care focuses on Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) and Every Airman A Problem Solver. Sometimes it can seem like our biggest advocates for improvement have crazy ideas and no clue about how the "real AF" works. THAT'S OK!!! As leaders, it's our responsibility to encourage their ideas, show them how to navigate improvement processes, and recognize them for their passion. Here are 9 tips on how you can lead and nurture your problem solvers. Which of these can you use today to build a culture of CPI?

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12/03/2018

“It is an acknowledged fact that we perceive errors in the work of others more readily than in our own.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci
Our Error Prevention Tool of "Cross check" capitalizes on da Vinci's observation, enhancing our ability to prevent errors by having a someone else check our work. When was the last time you offered, or accepted, a cross check with a peer?

10/29/2018

As Trusted Care's Theme of the Month "Duty to Speak Up" winds down, I have a question for you - If you saw this, would you "Speak Up" ?

Random guy tastes the soup at the grocery store.

10/22/2018

October’s Trusted Care Theme of the Month is Duty to Speak Up. I like to look at this from two different perspectives - the front line operator and the leader.
As a frontline operator, Duty to Speak up means saying something when things don’t look or feel right. It means asking clarifying questions to validate and verify, using SBAR and CUS to identify and correct potentially unsafe situations, and even giving and receiving cross-checks. You are the best “safety sensor” to provide an early warning before things go wrong.
From the leadership perspective, Duty to Speak up means acknowledging and reducing power distances, increasing the likelihood that frontline operators will speak up again. It means creating an environment where frontline operators are empowered, encouraged, and expected to speak up. It means thanking people – even if they’re wrong - for speaking up and demonstrating commitment to Zero Harm.
When was the last time you were hesitant to speak up about something that didn’t seem quite right? What was the result of not speaking up? As a leader, what can you do today to encourage your frontline operators to speak up when they have a safety concern?

09/05/2018

The vision of the 72d MDG at Tinker AFB is "Empowered Airmen Delivering Patient-Centered, Mission-Focused Trusted Care." Here's a short, but telling video about their approach to Trusted Care!

Tinker AFB "How Do You C.A.R.E? Video

09/04/2018

Demonstrating "Respect for People" builds trust, enhances teamwork, and promotes an environment in which every member is valued. That collaborative environment is the backbone of our Trusted Care Journey. Tools such as CUS, Cross-checks, and 5:1 feedback are effective ways to build that environment. Which one did you use today? How did you use it?

07/31/2018

August’s ToM is “Systems Thinking”. Each time we make a change in one part of our organization, a ripple is sent across other areas. Systems Thinking challenges us to understand how each part of the AFMS mission relates to the other, and how the ripples we create in our area have impacts in others. As you go about your business today, think about the ripple effect your work and decisions will have on other areas. When was the last time you checked with another section to see the effect your ripple had on them? When will the next time be?

07/09/2018

Constancy of Purpose tells us to align all of our efforts - from strategy to sweeping floors to people, processes, and materials - in support of achieving our goal of Zero Harm. Each day you should be able to reflect and identify how you have contributed to our Safety Culture. Did you ask a clarifying question? Maybe you used STAR before initiating a complex task? Did you CUS it up when you had a concern? Maybe you took the time to verify information you weren’t sure about? When everyone – senior leaders to front line operators – aligns under a constant purpose, we CAN achieve our goal of Zero Harm!

06/20/2018

A key component to providing is a psychologically safe environment for our healthcare workers. When someone experiences an error, they typically suffer feelings of shame and insecurity. What are we doing to help them bounce back with resilience? Have we created an environment where they can freely discuss and sort through their feelings? What can you do today so your peers know they can count on you when they need to share?

The Beryl Institute is the global community of practice dedicated to improving the patient experience through collaboration and shared knowledge. We define the patient experience as the sum of all interactions, shaped by an organization's culture, that influence patient perceptions across the contin...

06/01/2018

05/30/2018

June’s Trusted Care Theme of the Month is Every Airman, Every Day, a Problem Solver. Who is “Every Airman”? “Every Airman” is every member on our Team. “Every Airman” is the newest enlisted tech school graduate to the retiring SNCO, from the brand new lieutenant to the highest levels of leaderships. “Every Airman” is our GS civilians, our contractors, and our volunteers. In June, let’s challenge ourselves – and each other – to look for improvement opportunities. These opportunities include ending an outdated and useless policy, finding a safer/better way of accomplishing tasks, or identifying normalized deviance. Do you have something making you crazy at work? There’s no time like the present to identify it on your Section Huddle Board and see if we can’t make it better! I’d love to see what kind of improvement projects (even the “Just Do It” ones!) you all are working on this month. Please drop us a line here and let us know!