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In this episode, I talk with Steve Diaz, M.D., chief medical officer at MaineGeneral Health in Augusta and an AHA board member. Steve is an emergency medicine physician by training and has been involved in many of MaineGeneral’s health care quality and safety initiatives.

We focus on many aspects of patient safety, including accountability, prioritizing teamwork, overcoming barriers — particularly in rural emergency care — and using artificial intelligence. Steve describes how AI can help improve care management, personalize treatment plans, support administrative tasks and more.

Creating a culture of safety at MaineGeneral has included “flattening” the hierarchy and recognizing people who speak up, Steve explains. He discusses how to measure a culture of patient safety, handle quality reviews, and have difficult conversations to address challenging issues and behaviors — and then provide support and follow-up. “We want our team to know that we walk the walk,” Steve emphasizes. “If we say we’re going to hold people to this standard, we follow through no matter what.”

I hope you find these conversations thought provoking and useful. Look for them once a month as part of the Chair File.

Watch the episode