Lek Kremer, RN, MSN, serves as Nurse Manager of Trauma for HealthPartners Regions Hospital.
On May 4th, Lek will give a presentation on "Safe at Last…Creating an Environment of Trust and Accountability in Health Care" at Becker's Health IT + Clinical Leadership + Pharmacy conference. As part of an ongoing series, Becker's is talking to healthcare leaders who plan to speak at the conference, which will take place May 2-4, 2019 in Chicago.
To learn more about the conference and Lek's session, click here.
Question: What do innovators/entrepreneurs from outside healthcare need to better understand about hospital and health system leaders?
Lek Kremer: The healthcare industry is highly motivated to find solutions that meets the IHI Triple Aim (health, experience, and affordability). One example under health is our focus on coordination of care throughout our system from the patient/member and staff perspective. The benefits of this focus yields better patient experience, health outcome, and a cost effective access to healthcare. The struggle for healthcare is the interdependence on other industries and influences: consumers, pharmaceutical, regulatory bodies, policy makers, and technology, etc. All of it could enhance or hinder the public and healthcare organization. For example, the cost of a new device/drug could increase the cost of care which is passed on to the consumers who are struggling to understand why cost for healthcare is unaffordable for many. Innovators must understand and navigate the complexity of healthcare “partners” while maintaining the focus on the patients/consumers best outcomes.
Q: Tell us about the last meaningful interaction you had with a patient.
LK: It is a privilege to interact with patients and their families. They teach us so much about courage, frailty, and hope. A recent conversation was with a patient who continues to hope for a miracle in spite of many surgical treatments that thus far have failed. We are on this journey with the patient as this person shares the goals of leaving the hospital better than how this patient came to us. Unfortunately, the conversation has moved from finding a miracle to quality of life. Our conversation is rich with laughter and occasional tears. We impact their health condition and heart as each one struggles or triumphs over their diagnosis.
Q: Can you share some praise with us about people you work with? What does greatness look like to you when it comes to your team?
LK: I am very proud to have strong collaboration between nurses, doctors, administration, and ancillary departments. Our culture is aware that greatness takes all of us to support positive patient outcomes including experience. Healthcare is 24/7 and not dependent on a person instead on the team of frontline and behind the scene people! Our healthcare system is having growing pains but the basic tenet of providing safe quality patient care and experience is a singular goal. There are many examples of what’s wrong in healthcare, however, we have many examples on what’s right with our people and the process that supports them.