The power of teamwork cannot be underestimated

A close friend of mine fully expected that once I had experienced what I had, that a Linked IN article was in the making….and she was right. There is no point in not sharing what I experienced, and she knows me too well to know that i just cannot keep my mouth shut, when it comes to sharing a great story. Thank you Chris for that little bit of inspiration….. 

So just over a week ago (November 18th to be precise), I was scheduled for left hip replacement surgery. A surgery that has become far too common and not only with people my age, but as i found out with people significantly younger than me. I was admitted to a local Montreal Hospital with some level of expertise in Orthopedic surgery.  

I have to say one thing. This is the first time I have ever been in a hospital as a patient in my entire life (66 years…not bad), and certainly my first ever surgery. So I was observing this whole experience with some interest, not only because i was going to get a new lease on life, but was going to see first had what our wonderful health care system had to offer. I was not disappointed. 

So let’s start off by saying that most of my career was spent in corporate H.R. functions and very much enjoyed my successful career and various roles. However , hindsight is always 20/20, and corporate life which has some advantages, is great at espousing theories and practices that they hope are going to be adopted whole heartedly in their organizations. Sometimes with success, many times without success. Teamwork is important , but getting that mindset imbedded not an easy task. 

As we all know, health care is important to all of us. And mistakes within that environment always have some serious impact on people. These are live or die situations for the most part. The care and attention required to ensure that patients get the best available service possible is critical.  

My day surgery and pre-op appointments proved that the health care system is one very well oiled machined indeed. It reminded me quickly when i worked in the pharmaceutical industry, and we were taken to work at a local plant for a day.  The first statement made by the trainer was “we CANNOT make a mistake EVER in the production of this liquid. If we do someone dies”. Let me tell you that puts it in perspective real fast. It also put in perspective the idea of teamwork and collaboration and quality highest on any list you can imagine. Our hospitals are no different. They and we, cannot afford for them to get it wrong. Results would otherwise be devastating.  

So as i saw from the pre-op appointments the week before, the preparation in making sure that the full “food chain” was given all the right information in a timely basis was coming through . "D Day", more impressive. Nursing staff who were there, had the right information and provided attentive care. A surgical team (mostly young) who were inclusive and communicative, provided all the information i wanted and allowed for all the questions I might have had. To give you a sense of this, as I lay in my bed waiting in pre-op, the surgeon and his entire operating room team, came to my bed, each introducing themselves and the role they were going to play , and again asking me if i had any questions or concerns. Then we all marched into the operating room, where i was given a quick tour, placed on the table and the work began. What I did observe , which of course happens in all operating rooms, is the COMPLETE SENSE OF COORDINATION AND TEAMWORK as things we’re being prepared. The ambiance was up beat with lots of humour and trying to make me feel completely comfortable as possible.  

As someone who has worked in various corporations, I have not ever seen such coordination and “thinking on the same page” as I witnessed there.  The sense of “team “ in that room was so palpable and was quite literally in the air.  

We have much to learn from Healthcare workers…. These folks receive a training or a “conditioning “ that we do not see in any corporation despite how we try. It might have something to do with their end goals. Save the patient.  Either way, there is an energy and a dedication that is like no other. THEIR TEAMWORK MATTERS.