I work in an Ambulatory Surgery Center. In the last year we have had three burns throughout our center. Although they have all been in different areas and have been researched and handled independently of one another, it was decided that more needed to be done to decrease the risk of burns to patient and staff. A couple years ago our corporate headquarters removed our fire assessment from our time out process so we have not been formally assessing fire risk per patient.

 

I used Kotter’s Eight Step Organizational Model discussed in the video produced by Steven Thomsen.

 

Stage 1 : Establishing a sense of urgency
Upon review of the burns for the year, the Risk and Quality Team was assigned a deadline for reviewing the burns and developing a fire risk assessment tool that was to be completed, documented and education provided to all staff.

 

Stage 2: Creating the guiding coalition
The Risk and Quality Team consists of the OR manager, Pre/ Post manager, GI manager, Administrator and Risk Manager.

 

Stage 3: Developing a vision and strategy

The need for change was quite clear with three burns in one year’s time.

The team reviewed different techniques to assess fire risk and chose an assessment tool that clearly assigned a number value to the fire risk. These tools were printed, laminated and posted in each OR and procedure room.

 

Stage 4: Communicating the change vision
The Fire Risk Assessment was rolled out to the staff verbally at a meeting with demonstration and education on the need for the assessment as well as on paper. All staff had to demonstrate understanding of the scale to their manager.

Physicians were notified via email about the change and encouraged to address concerns with the manager for their area.

 

Stage 5: Empowering employees for broad-based action
Managers evaluate employees who seem to have a good handle on the tool and they encourage the coworkers to use it routinely has well.

Stage 6: Generating short term wins
Rewards have been given in the form of verbal praise and lunch purchased by the center for achieving 100% compliance for one month.

 

Stage 7: Consolidating gains and producing more change
All RNs in the ASC know how to correctly complete the Fire Risk Assessment. This tool is now a part of our new hire orientation as well as our annual competency checkoffs.

 

Stage 8: Anchoring new approaches in the culture
Staff was made aware at the time of role out how important this change is. It has been made clear that 100% participation is essential. The fire risk assessment is reviewed at unit meetings and been made a part of annual competence training.

 

Reference:

Thomsen, Steven. (2013). Kotter’s 8 Step Organizational Change Model FC. Retrieved  January 25, 2018, from              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxtF4OXzhyl#action=share