Risk, Fear, and Failure

Risk, Fear, and Failure

Friday, April 19, 2019

8:12 AM

In his book, "Fail More", author Bill Wooditch explores the human trait of "fear" and ow this has been ingrained in our culture, education system, and other institutions of society.  He cites numerous individuals who have overcome failures and fear but went on to greater accomplishments.

When I was reading the book, I thought about how the urge to be perfect and to always win creates the an environment to quit or not even try a hobby, sport or other activity.  I recall the comment from a movie that second place was really "first loser".  During the NCAA Basketball Tourney, I saw a young boy outfitted in his teams colors emotionally distraught over the loss of his team and wonder what might be the impact on his willingness to play the sport in the future.

All of this drive for winning and perfection lead me to some thoughts about the regulatory oversight and quality improvement  systems used in the LTC/PAC sector.  Public policy has driven providers to be mandated to seek care without errors or mistakes and compliance with subjective regulations needing perfection.  Is this really feasible given the challenges in financial resources and support from governmental funders?  Has this public policy direction for perfection created a culture that avoids risk and innovation?

The basis for quality improvement is to identify goals to achieve, evaluate performance data, create plans to achieve better outcomes and assess performance and progress or the classic "Plan, Do, Check, Act" mantra.  Does that fear of failure or a less than optima outcomes destroy attempts for innovation in the quality improvement cycle? 

In earlier blogs I have suggested the need to change how the LTC/PAC sector is regulated.  The ability to create innovative, quality driven organizations is stifled by the overzealous and subjective actions by the current survey system.  LTC/PAC providers are closest to the patient, have the ability to make evidence-based judgments on their needs.  The sector should be encouraged to work on innovation and not judged merely on observations taken from a database and based on opinions of documentation provided in a healthcare record.

Steven Chies, MHA, LNHA (MN) FACHCA, HSE

Program Manager, Long-term Care Administration

Instructor

HA 214

HIM 214

LTC 448

LTC 352

LTC 462