Recent ASQ Meetings in Washington, DC

The following is a synopsis of meetings held on behalf of ASQ in Washington, DC, Sept. 29-30, 2003. Representing ASQ: Amy Kimball, Sellery Associates, Inc., and Dick Sandretti, Sandretti Associates, Inc.

Larry Patton, senior advisor to the director, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), US Department of Health and Human Services. Topic: reducing medical errors. Mr. Patton said AHRQ is to begin certification of Patient Safety Organizations (PSOs), which will amount to a self-certification based on the statutes. AHRQ is very interested in developing a program to teach root cause analysis in order to fulfill its charter of providing oversight to the PSOs. PSOs will not be able to move forward to solve patient safety issues until practitioners first understand how to accomplish root cause analysis. Discussion was also held regarding the potential for ASQ to develop a paper on reducing medical errors much the same as was done for prescription drug errors. Legislation is currently drafted. ASQ could, however, draft a paper for its own purposes and to circulate during other visits. We also left a copy of the results of the ASQ Healthcare Dialogue Meeting from last November. Mr. Patton also talked about a need he sees for organizations to provide a process for “how to do something,” that is, developing the operational aspect of getting a project accomplished. For example, how does a hospital set up to do research? What is the process involved?

Chad Bumgard, professional staff, House Government Reform Civil Service Subcommittee. Topic: H.R. 1601, Federal Workforce Flexibility Act of 2003. This bill is very similar to one introduced two years ago by Sen. George Voinovich, and on which ASQ was asked to testify. Tom Mosgaller provided that testimony. The bill is of particular interest to ASQ’s Aviation, Space and Defense Division. The division is witnessing a brain drain among its members as they reach retirement age. In ASQ’s original testimony, the case was presented for the need for on-going training of both the current and potential federal work force. Amy Kimball was to provide Mr. Bumgard with a copy of the testimony.

Annie Stein, awards program director, Quality and Performance Office, Veterans Health Administration, US Department of Veterans Affairs. Topic: Introduction of ASQ, determination of areas of mutual interest. Ms. Stein is a Baldrige examiner and is about to retire. She said that the VA is training reviewers each year for the Carey Award, a Baldrige-based award presented by the VA. Ms. Stein indicated there may be an opportunity for ASQ to provide reviewer training on an annual basis similar to what is done for Baldrige examiners.

Linda Rich, majority senior counsel, Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee. Topic: Sarbanes/Oxley corporate accountability law and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Much of the discussion centered on introduction of ASQ and its interest in the legislation. She indicated the committee is working on mutual funds, in particular quality of disclosure and quality of compliance controls. In particular, she suggested that ASQ should look at H.R. 2420.

Robert Scanlon, assistant director, Personnel Security and Credentialing, Credentialing Program Office, Transportation Security Administration, US Department of Homeland Security. Topic: TSA certification. This is a return meeting with Mr. Scanlon, who has been very helpful to ASQ regarding its offer to the TSA to provide a process for certification of airport security screeners. Discussion involved the potential of ASQ presenting itself at a different level within the TSA. Agreement was reached that ASQ would be well served to seek a meeting with Asa Hutchinson, under secretary for border and transportation security.

David Schaffer, staff director, Aviation Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Topic: TSA certification. Meeting was primarily to acquaint Mr. Schaffer with ASQ’s offer and efforts. He is supportive. We asked that he pass on our information to the committee chair, Rep. John Mica, (R-FL), which he said he would do. He also stated that members of the subcommittee were in favor of certification of airport security screeners, particularly the idea of consistency and continuity.