Women in Healthcare: Leading with Quality-A Conversation with Stephanie Mercado of NAHQ
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This MGMA Women in Healthcare podcast episode, hosted by Adrienne Lloyd, welcomes Stephanie Mercado to the show. Mercado is the CEO and executive director of the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ). She joined the NAHQ in 2013 and has helped the organization achieve over 300% revenue growth and almost double its membership since then. In 2023, Modern Healthcare named Mercado one of the "100 Most Influential People in Healthcare".
Highlights:
In the conversation, Mercado emphasizes that quality and safety encompass more than just regulatory compliance - they should be viewed as a business strategy that utilizes standard and reliable problem-solving techniques. When faced with dynamic issues, tools like failure mode effects analysis (FMEA) and the situation-background-assessment-recommendation (SBAR) framework can help structure thinking and planning. Mercado also stresses the importance of resilience among healthcare leaders. Despite the uncertainty, focusing on continuous improvement through patience and small wins can move the quality agenda forward. Professionals can better manage stress and drive positive change by clarifying roles, unpacking concerns, and embracing an iterative mindset.
Main Takeaways:
This MGMA Women in Healthcare podcast episode, hosted by Adrienne Lloyd, welcomes Stephanie Mercado to the show. Mercado is the CEO and executive director of the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ). She joined the NAHQ in 2013 and has helped the organization achieve over 300% revenue growth and almost double its membership since then. In 2023, Modern Healthcare named Mercado one of the "100 Most Influential People in Healthcare".
Highlights:
In the conversation, Mercado emphasizes that quality and safety encompass more than just regulatory compliance - they should be viewed as a business strategy that utilizes standard and reliable problem-solving techniques. When faced with dynamic issues, tools like failure mode effects analysis (FMEA) and the situation-background-assessment-recommendation (SBAR) framework can help structure thinking and planning. Mercado also stresses the importance of resilience among healthcare leaders. Despite the uncertainty, focusing on continuous improvement through patience and small wins can move the quality agenda forward. Professionals can better manage stress and drive positive change by clarifying roles, unpacking concerns, and embracing an iterative mindset.
Main Takeaways:
- Quality improvement methods give healthcare workers a "toolkit" to effectively address opportunities and challenges
- Tools like FMEA and SBAR provide neutral frameworks to identify issues, plan solutions, and bring teams together
- Viewing quality as a long-term business strategy leads to more reliable outcomes than short-term compliance
- Adopting resilience through patience, adaptability, and celebration of incremental progress enhances success
- Roles clarification and unpacking sources of anxiety can help manage stress inherent to healthcare leadership
Episode Sources:
Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn
MGMA Resources:
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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
To see other episodes of the Women in Healthcare Podcast, watch the video versions on YouTube, or apply to be on an upcoming episode, please visit: https://bit.ly/womeninhealthcarepodcast
MGMA Resources:
MGMA Stat
Ask an Advisor
MGMA Membership
MGMA Consulting
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
To see other episodes of the Women in Healthcare Podcast, watch the video versions on YouTube, or apply to be on an upcoming episode, please visit: https://bit.ly/womeninhealthcarepodcast
Midmark
Founded in 1915, Midmark Corporation is the only company transforming healthcare experiences through innovative design within the medical, dental and animal health environments.
Founded in 1915, Midmark Corporation is the only company transforming healthcare experiences through innovative design within the medical, dental and animal health environments.
With a deep understanding of the healthcare environment, Midmark helps physicians and care teams deliver exceptional patient care through seamless room design, better equipment, smarter workflows and integrated technologies.
Midmark can help you improve clinical outcomes and eliminate the barriers preventing seamless, well-coordinated patient care. Visit our website to learn more about Midmark, or join us for the MGMA webinar on October 24, or on demand at MGMA.com.
RingCentral:
We’d like to thank RingCentral for their sponsorship. You can visit their website at ringcentral.com to learn how they’re helping healthcare organizations create the ideal patient experience with AI powered communications; helping to reduce risk, drive efficiency, and improve patient satisfaction.
