Almost all barriers to quality improvement are deficiencies in management and leadership. These deficiencies can take a few different forms but usually look something like:

• Lack of a desire to change or improve
• Lack of strategic planning needed to identify improvements
• Poor communication and oversight of needed changes
• A lack of empowerment and accountability to drive improvements
• Poor collaboration between leaders and their departments
• Having the wrong perspective of Quality as a short-term initiative

Read IN-PRACTICE 4-1 on page 118 of the textbook, “State University Hospital and State Donor Services.” Per Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, under the direction of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “One organ donor can save eight lives.” Chris Carter – the new administrator for the Emergency Department was set up for failure from the very start. The cause of the decline is not due to paper work.

Considering the hospital is the largest source and utilizer of donated organs, think about the importance of this situation and how this project can be expanded into a state-wide initiative. Use the deficiencies above to assess the failure of the team at State University Hospital. Discuss why it is important for SUH to develop a strong team for this project, and address the role of various team members, who should be included, what is the role (if any) should the Chairman of the Surgery Department have, did the COO assign the best leader, why? In addition, ask one question about this topic for others to answer and/or clarify.