The culture of safety at Northwestern Medicine directly supports the Patients First mission. An organization with a culture of safety focuses on improvement rather than blame, so staff and physicians are encouraged to collaborate and to identify errors and near-miss events that reflect opportunities to provide safer patient care.
NM staff have completed different survey models in the past. This year, a new Culture of Safety Survey will launch, aligned with the NM shift to short, modern and focused surveys. If you are in one of these roles, you will be invited to participate in the survey from May 18 through June 2:
Employees and physicians (employed or independent, medical staff or residents) at all hospitals, Northwestern Medical Group and Regional Medical Group
Employees in these system departments
Clinical Documentation
Engagement
Performance/Risk
Quality
Academic Affairs
Read the following FAQ to learn more. In particular, please note the email sending address ([email protected]) and subject line (“Share Your Thoughts on NM’s Culture of Safety”). Questions may be directed to [email protected].
How long is the survey? The five-question survey should take two to five minutes to complete.
How will I get the survey and know it is not a phishing email? You will receive a personalized link to the survey on May 18 from a third-party vendor to ensure the confidentiality of responses. The survey will be from [email protected] with the subject line, “Share Your Thoughts on NM’s Culture of Safety.”
What will the survey questions ask? The survey asks about communication, event reporting and your thoughts on patient safety in your area. Your responses should focus on the clinical area or department in which you spend most of your time.
How will my feedback be used? Survey results will be used to help shape the NM quality and patient safety plan. In the past, feedback about safety culture has been used to:
Develop NM safety tools, including the fair and just culture process and associated training
Improve feedback about safety through Connections and physician newsletters
Drive improvement work based on “good catch” events reported in NETS (Northwestern Event Tracking System)