“I haven’t forgotten what it feels like to be on the front line,” says Steve Anderson, who began his career as a nurse’s aide, progressing through nursing school and into management. “I take the job seriously but not myself. You need humor along the way.”
Years in the field as a Joint Commission surveyor, acting as the eyes and ears of the accreditation system, also prepared him for his current role as JCR’s Accreditation Practice Leader.
Often, by the time a hospital or other facility calls for help with a problem, there is a great deal of frustration and anxiety surrounding it, according to Mr. Anderson. Limited resources and multiple stakeholders must be taken into account. “I like to give practical, straightforward solutions,” he says. “The process is very dynamic and solutions can be as variable as the institutions.”
These days, Steve Anderson believes that pay for performance is on everyone’s mind. In his view, the sides of the triangle are control, value and accuracy. Insurance companies want value for the dollar. Doctors want control of patient care. And everyone wants accuracy, meaning no mistakes. “Time is the final factor, an intersection that affects all sides of the triangle,” he explains.
What advice might Mr. Anderson offer an institution considering accreditation? “Take a deep breath and relax,” he says. “You must commit to the process emotionally as well as intellectually—lots of energy is required. It’s important to maintain a positive attitude that the outcome will be stronger and better.” Click here for a full bio on Steve Anderson.