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March 21, 2020 01:00 AM

Letters: During a public health emergency, we need to protect the most vulnerable

Modern Healthcare
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    Regarding “COVID-19 funding: Where the money goes,” we must not forget that a critical part of our efforts to reduce the impact of contagious viruses during an epidemic includes engaging vulnerable populations and reaching out to marginalized groups.

    This especially means sharing information and resources with service providers in our communities including homeless shelters, food banks, community centers, and the dedicated people reaching out to folks living on the street.

    These organizations operate on thin budgets and are in immediate need of the basics like soap, disinfectants, as well as guidance on how to access healthcare when people do become ill.

    Partnering during public health emergencies is critically important and time-sensitive. It will require more of us to step up and offer assistance wherever we can.

    Viruses don’t discriminate. We can’t hope to curtail the spread or reduce illness unless everyone in our communities has information about and the basic resources for prevention. I don’t know when the funds discussed in news coverage will trickle down to help these folks. I do know they need help immediately.

    For now, while the coronavirus continues to spread, please consider donating supplies or funds to your local shelters, food banks and community organizations for the many people in need.

    Dr. Rhonda Medows
    President
    Population health management
    Providence

    Board members are their community’s lifeline to high-quality care

    Regarding the op-ed “Healthcare has dithered on safety for too long,” trustees with visions of eliminating harm in healthcare, along with a bit of impatience and a lot of courage, can make a big difference in leading the way to zero harm in healthcare. I am excited to finally read a powerful perspective relating to quality and safety and our complacency in addressing it.

    The healthcare industry is in an unbelievably challenging time. As leaders, we have the utmost responsibility and accountability to our patients, our customers, in delivering high-reliability care. Why are we so accepting of the current status of progress? Quality and safety are closely connected to nursing staffing ratios and clinician skills mix. Board members need to see themselves as their community’s lifeline to safe care.

    To that end, dig deeper than just what may be presented in dashboards and hold executives accountable for the environment of care culture, high turnover rates, etc., all of which affect our ability to reach zero harm.

    No other industry would survive with healthcare’s overall rate of improvement since the Institute of Medicine’s call for change more than 20 years ago.

    Julie Klymas
    Baton Rouge, La.

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      • Current News
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        • Midwest
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      • From the Editor
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        • Top 25 Emerging Leaders
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        • Diversity in Healthcare
          • - Luminaries
          • - Top 25 Diversity Leaders
          • - Leaders to Watch
        • Women in Healthcare
          • - Luminaries
          • - Top 25 Women Leaders
          • - Women to Watch
      • Conferences
        • Digital Health Transformation Summit
        • ESG: The Implementation Imperative Summit
        • Leadership Symposium
        • Social Determinants of Health Symposium
        • Women Leaders in Healthcare Conference
      • Galas
        • Best Places to Work Awards Gala
        • Health Care Hall of Fame Gala
        • Top 25 Diversity Leaders Gala
        • Top 25 Women Leaders Gala
      • Virtual Briefings
        • - Hospital of the Future
        • - Value Based Care
        • - Hospital at Home
        • - Workplace of the Future
        • - Digital Health
        • - Future of Staffing
        • - Hospital of the Future (Fall)
      • Webinars
    • Multimedia
      • Podcast - Beyond the Byline
      • Sponsored Podcast - Healthcare Insider
      • Video Series - The Check Up
      • Sponsored Video Series - One on One
    • Data Center
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      • Hospital Financials
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      • Quality & Safety
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    • MORE+
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