Why independent assessments matter in health care

The importance of independent assessment is often overlooked by professionals. After all most of us who work in health care have a good understanding of the scientific method, pride ourselves on our critical thinking and often believe we have a good grasp of how well our patients are doing or what needs to be done to help them do better.

What healthcare professionals also agree on is that they are always busy. A typical day at a hospital, regardless of the department, often has a variety of chart reviews, face-to-face patient assessments, documentation, teaching, administrative meetings, conferences and likely more documentation. We develop a rhythm to our day and grow resentful of efforts to disrupt this rhythm. This cognitive load makes it harder to really take the time to assess a problem with clarity. Physicians and nurses both participate in systematic performance reviews and morbidity/mortality case reviews from which opportunities to do better arise. While invaluable towards developing a safety-oriented culture, this really only captures the unique case where someone decided to dig deeper into what could have went wrong.

cognitive load makes it harder to really take the time to assess a problem with clarity

What independent assessments offer are a fresh approach that brings curiosity and non judgement to the various processes that have become normalized in an institution's culture. It generates data that clinicians and administrators alike can agree is useful. It is an opportunity for the various stakeholders in a hospital to develop a common language when it comes to how to best take care of their patients while importantly prioritizing the wellbeing of healthcare professionals at every junction.

Independent assessments also give an organization a chance to show off its transparency and credibility. It allows facts to inform recommendations rather than intra-organizational politics. It allows quality team members to minimize the confirmation bias that often takes place when we have been looking at the same thing for a long time. It generates a conversation within an organization that can bring out issues previously undiscussed.

independent assessments offer institutional staff an opportunity to discuss their issues anonymously

Independent assessments offer institutional staff an opportunity to discuss their issues anonymously with an external party who can aggregate data and use it to make recommendations. So in the name of doing things scientifically, go ahead and hire that independent consultant. It will be a fantastic opportunity to challenge your perceptions about the institution's performance and create sustainable improvements based in truthful inquiry.