Ep. 165 Empowering Clinicians through Quality Improvement Initiatives with Dr. Andrew Harris

In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Aditya Bagrodia invites Dr. Andrew Harris (University of Kentucky) to discuss the significance of quality improvement using the lean methodology to improve patient safety and healthcare efficiency.

---

SYNPOSIS

First, Dr. Harris shares his transformative journey into quality improvement following a personal experience in the operating room, highlighting how critical it is for healthcare professionals to scrutinize and refine daily processes for better outcomes. The conversation dives into the heart of quality improvement, complex problem solving, encouraging healthcare professionals to apply their analytical skills to improve systems and processes. They discuss the importance of communication, team involvement, and leadership in fostering a culture that embraces quality improvement. Practical examples from Harris’s experience underscore how small changes can lead to significant benefits in patient care, staff satisfaction, and overall healthcare efficiency.

---

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction

05:16 - Combating Burnout with Quality Improvement Initiatives

13:38 - Exploring the Anatomy of a Quality Improvement Project

25:24 - Optimizing Operating Room Efficiency

28:37 - Balancing Standardization and Flexibility in Healthcare Processes

34:11 - Ad Hoc Solutions vs. Structured Quality Improvement

40:36 - Incorporating Patient Perspectives in Quality Improvement