I’ve just completed the second day of my Telluride experience and I can only sum it up in one word:
Wow.
The past two days have been both emotionally and mentally draining- hearing first hand stories from both the families of victims of medical errors and those who are at the front line in combating them.
The people here have drawn out the battle lines to turn the tide on medical errors and are fighting it with an incredibly powerful tool: education.
Throughout the past two days I have been privileged to learn about the changing philosophies on optimizing patient safety from families, mentors and colleagues. I have frequently reflected upon my own practice, especially regarding premature closure and a lack of mindfulness. I have had my eyes opened as to how my attitude towards patient safety can have a huge impact on outcomes for those under my care. Hospitals should be a safe haven for those who are unwell, yet clearly at present they are not. Even if that is the case for just one person, it is still completely unacceptable.
I know I still have a long road ahead of me, but I wholeheartedly believe that through the stewardship of the Telluride faculty and the support of my peers here I can continue to improve my awareness of patient safety. I know tomorrow will bring further challenges, however through these experiences we can all grow together.