In the fast-paced atmosphere of Duke Raleigh Hospital’s perioperative services, Karen Sherman, MD, MS, FACS, FASCRS, wanted a way to slow down to celebrate teamwork. She sparked an idea for how all periop staff and providers can do that, and it’s taken off.
As part of 1 Duke Periop efforts to boost respect, teamwork, and ownership, Sherman shared the idea for “Culture Change Cards.” Four designed handouts allow colleagues to give positive feedback, say “thank you,” apologize for a mistake, or share an idea or concern.
“In order to give the best care for our patients, we have to take care of each other, too,” Sherman said. “It’s an exciting way to foster the work culture we want to have, where we’re thinking of and supporting our teammates.”
Any periop employee can pick up a card and leave them in secure boxes in breakrooms. They’re collected and delivered to teammates by Candice Stringfield, MSN, RN, CCRN, strategic services associate with Surgical Services. Sherman has given two cards so far: a thank you to Stringfield for helping establish the new program, and another to Denise Lush, RN, nurse manager at DRAH’s Operating Room, for supporting its launch.
“It’s a beautiful thing when we work together for the benefit of a team,” Tigist Gessesse, BSN, RN, CPAN, CNIV, a clinical nurse IV in DRAH’s post-anesthesia care unit. She’s sent cards toclinical nurses Mary Waithanji, RN, CNIII, and Denise Deycaza, RN, CNII, for their help covering shifts when coworkers were sick.
“I appreciate the way we work together to make our coworkers’ lives easier,” Gessesse said. “Having these ways to show appreciation is what I call taking care of each other.”
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