Surviving Big Brother - Maintaining quality without damaging staff moral
Karen Zgoda, Pamela Parker, Andrew Hunter, Ultrasound, Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust
No one likes scrutiny, no one wants to be watched. What if we are found wanting and outside of the norm? But, a robust, well established peer review system can do just that. As dedicated health care professionals we strive to deliver the best care we can but with growing experience can come complacency and a false-belief that you can learn no more.
As has been documented in previous studies there is no optimum method to fully review sonographers practice. The best tool available at this time is the BMUS recommended audit tool. Regular peer review of static images in conjunction with monthly learning from discrepancy meetings (LDM’s) have been well established within this institution since 2013. The sonographer discrepancy rate within the department is known. The LDM’s have provided significant opportunity for learning and education programmes but require engagement from all staff. In the ideal world all sonographers would embrace such an opportunity to have their work reviewed and scrutinised but the reality, we know, is different. It can be a scary and off putting process which unfortunately can lead to disenfranchising our valued sonographers.
This poster presents the darker side of peer review. What does the process actually feel like? How did we get full engagement from the staff involved and how did they survive big brother?