Appropriate and timely communication between healthcare professionals is required to effectively respond to patient care concerns and prevent delayed diagnosis and treatment. An organization’s safety culture influences whether individuals will communicate openly about patient safety threats. Leaders influence the development of a culture supportive of communication openness.
Laura Pozzobon, BHSc, BNSc, RN, MScHQ, CHE, Unievrsity Health Network
Laura Pozzobon is a nursing leader and certified health executive who is passionate about improving health care in partnership with patients and families. Currently, she is the manager of quality, safety and clinical adoption across University Health Network. With expertise in quality and safety, Laura collaborates across the health system to enhance patient experiences and improve quality of care. Dedicated to continuous learning and advancing patient safety, Laura is completing her PhD (health quality) at Queen’s University. She actively contributes to research and supports health-care professionals and learners as an adjunct lecturer at Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing (University of Toronto), honorary visiting research fellow at Cardiff University, research consultant with the Institute for Safe Medication Practice Canada, and mentor with the Canadian College of Health Leaders. Laura co-leads the Toronto Academic Health Science Network Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Community of Practice’s Improving Patient Safety Workstream.
Ben Le is a Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Specialist at UHN, and aspiring nurse leader, who is committed to improving the healthcare system for patients, family, and staff. Ben obtained his Master of Nursing from the University of Toronto, with a focus on Health Systems Leadership and Administration. His clinical experience has primarily been in Trauma and Neurosurgery at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, where he continues to work at the point of care as a staff nurse. His primary quality improvement project has been focused on supporting Escalation of Care. His previous work experience spans acute care hospitals, the Long-Term Care sector, and nursing education