If you’ve been a regular reader of our blogs, you know that they are informational rather than opinionated in nature. There are more than enough people in this world who can’t wait to bloviate for as long as you will let them. We made a decision at CIHQ to keep our blogs content rich, and keep our opinions to ourselves.
Once in a while though, there comes a time when an opinion here and there is not a bad thing. So this blog is not about the Conditions of Participation or the survey process. I call it “a time to give thanks”.
Thanksgiving will be upon us this week, and we tend to reflect on all the things we are thankful for; our family and friends; a country where – despite its current turmoil – is still the greatest on earth; our military and first responders who protect us; and (hopefully) our health.
I am thankful for all those things, but I am also thankful for you. Without your dedication, I firmly believe that our nation’s hospitals would not be able to deliver safe quality care. Think about it… each day you rise to fight the good fight – often against daunting odds. Regulations increase while resources dwindle. You are routinely asked to do more with less. You fight apathy – if not downright hostility – when trying to effect necessary change. The work you do is not glamorous, but it’s absolutely critical.
I have a friend who works in a police department in internal affairs. He’s not the most well-liked guy in the place. I asked him once how he felt about his role. He said that someone had to make sure everyone followed the rules, otherwise what faith would the public have that its police department was doing the right thing. In a sense, those of us who work in the regulatory arena are bit like internal affairs. Our job is to help our hospitals follow the rules (and yes, some of the rules are silly), so that the public has confidence in our nation’s healthcare system. If we don’t step up to be the “guardians at the gate”, who will?
So on behalf of CIHQ… thank you! Thank you for the work you do. Thank you for who you are. It’s a privilege for our company to be associated with you. Happy Thanksgiving.