"Pandemic fatigue" challenges efforts to focus on patient safety

We asked people from four organizations across Massachusetts for an update on the current work environment and how to maintain patient safety efforts under difficult circumstances.

“How is your organization keeping patient safety at the forefront of its work, especially given uncertainty about the trajectory of the pandemic?"

“We are finding that it takes extra energy to assure that we can provide safe, high-quality care to everyone.”

Joseph Betancourt, M.D., M.P.H.
Senior Vice President, Equity and Community Health
Massachusetts General Hospital and Physicians Organization
Boston

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“Personally, I’ve felt exhausted in a way that’s new for me. My survival and success depend largely on the team of coworkers and staff I have cultivated.”

Joanne MacInnis, R.N.
President & CEO
Aberdeen Home Care, Inc.
Danvers

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“More than ever before, safety needs to be hardwired into our way of working.”

Patricia McGaffigan, R.N., M.S., CPPS
Vice President, Institute for Healthcare Improvement
President, Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety
Boston

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“The past two years have brought one major threat to individual and public health after another.”

Robert Roose, M.D., M.P.H.
Chief Medical Officer, Chief Administrative Officer
Mercy Medical Center
Springfield