This episode features Dr. Thomas Spiegel, VP & Health System Chief Quality Officer at University of Chicago Medicine System. Here, he discusses his past experience at Marriott International and how it influences his perspective in healthcare leadership, what he’s focusing on in his current role, his “frontline first” approach, and more.
Summary
Dr. Thomas Spiegel Discusses "Frontline First" Approach in Healthcare Leadership
Background in Hospitality Leadership
Dr. Thomas Spiegel, VP & Health System Chief Quality Officer at University of Chicago Medicine System, has a unique perspective on healthcare leadership. With a background in hospitality leadership from his time at Marriott International, he believes that healthcare leaders should focus on their team members, as they will take care of the patients.
Reinvigorating Efforts to Increase High-Reliability and Whole System Quality
Dr. Spiegel's top priority for the next year is to reinvigorate efforts to increase high-reliability and whole system quality at U C M. He is planning to use a "frontline first" approach, where frontline clinicians are engaged and asked about their opinions on opportunities for improvement. He encourages healthcare systems to prioritize ideas from frontline workers and then involve them in the implementation process.
Importance of Getting Frontline Workers Involved
Dr. Spiegel talks about the importance of getting frontline workers involved in quality and cost reduction projects. He emphasizes the need for continuous dissemination of information, so that these projects can be sustained over time.
Continued Focus on Frontline First Approach
With his past experience in the hospitality industry and his current role in healthcare leadership, Dr. Spiegel is committed to the "frontline first" approach. He believes that by prioritizing the ideas and opinions of frontline clinicians, healthcare systems can improve their overall quality and reliability.
Note: This is an AI generated transcript, not edited by a staff writer and is solely intended for educational purposes. If you have any questions/concerns, reach out to podcasts@beckershealthcare.com
This episode aired on 01/15/2023 and can be listened here.
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