In this episode of Key in to Quality, we hear from the leaders behind the CARES initiative (Champions Advancing Racial Equity in Sepsis), a national effort tackling long-standing disparities in sepsis care. Black and Latinx patients are more likely to experience delays in treatment and worse outcomes, including higher mortality. CARES is working to change that through coalition-based leadership and data-driven strategies aimed at improving equity in care.

Dr. Erika Linnander and Dr. Leslie Curry from Yale School of Public Health, along with Dr. Steven Simpson from the University of Kansas, Sepsis Alliance Chair, share how shifting organizational culture through focused leadership, inclusive coalitions, and smarter data integration can help move the needle. They highlight early wins, common barriers, and practical advice for systems ready to begin their own equity work.

If you’re focused on healthcare quality, patient safety, or equity, this is a thoughtful and insightful conversation worth a listen.

#mayokeyintoquality @DrTimMorg #EndSepsis #SepsisAlliance #WorldSepsisDay #SepsisAwarenessMonth

Guests: Erika Linnander, DrPH, M.B.A | https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikalinnander/

Leslie Curry, PhD, M.P.H. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-curry-yale/

Steve Simpson, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-simpson-92279712/

Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/

Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/

#mayokeyintoquality

In Part 2 of our delirium-focused series, Key in to Quality returns to Mayo Clinic Arizona, where a startling statistic revealed that two-thirds of workplace assaults involved confused patients. Behind the numbers were moments of staff trauma and missed care opportunities. This episode follows the multidisciplinary team that turned insight into action: creating a Kaizen event, developing practical tools, and embedding delirium prevention into everyday workflows.

Heidi Lindroth, M.D. shares her research on delirium, while Jennifer Sweilem, M.S.N., R.N. and Nicole Lies walk us through their powerful implementation journey. Discover how deliberate quality improvement efforts led to better patient care, increased delirium detection, and fewer incidents of workplace violence.

Whether you're starting small or scaling system-wide, this episode offers actionable strategies and inspiration to improve safety, empathy, and quality care.

Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/

Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/

#mayokeyintoquality

Addressing Delirium: A Path for Preventing Workplace Violence

How can healthcare workers truly feel safe when they’ve been conditioned to believe enduring workplace violence is “just part of the job”? On this Key In to Quality podcast episode, we dive into an often-overlooked issue that directly impacts hospital safety: delirium.

Our guests Chris Scheuler, manager of the Mayo Clinic Arizona Workplace Violence Prevention Program, and Beth Terrio, a patient safety specialist from Mayo Clinic in Arizona, reveal how delirium can escalate situations, leading to confusion, fear, or even violence among patients.

Learn how their team at Mayo Clinic Arizona discovered a common thread linking various safety incidents to delirium, prompting a cultural shift in how these events are managed. Chris and Beth also discuss the role of data in addressing workplace violence and establishing a comprehensive workplace violence prevention program.

Gain insights on how to recognize and address workplace violence incidents proactively while fostering a supportive culture that leads with empathy and reinforces boundaries.

Host: Timothy Morgenthaler, M.D. | https://www.linkedin.com/in/timorgenthaler/

Host: Sheri Nemec| https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-sheri-nemec-a627982a/

#mayokeyintoquality