We know that it’s not enough for an organization to simply state its values. We are defined by our values and we strive to live by them, every day. For this SpecialtyCare blog series, we wanted to take a deeper dive and hear our associates describe what the SpecialtyCare values mean to them. In this series, expect to hear real examples from our associates who live out our values by bringing the best of themselves to positively impact the lives of the patients, the practitioners, and the communities we serve.

Sense of Urgency: Move quickly with purpose. We will work expeditiously, both in our daily routine and when unexpected problems arise. We work to help others just as we would want others to help us or our family.

A fast-paced career—IONM in trauma scenarios

It’s 11 p.m. on a Thursday in the operating room—there is undoubtedly a sense of urgency among the OR team as the patient is about to arrive from the trauma intensive care unit (TICU) for an emergency surgery resulting after a motor vehicle accident. The OR team (including the nurse, surgical tech, anesthesia provider, surgeon, and the surgical neurophysiologist) work quickly to ensure no time is wasted before the patient arrives. Indeed, trust and agility are crucial in stressful environments— and for that reason, it’s not surprising that trauma surgeons across the country choose SpecialtyCare clinicians to be on their team during these demanding situations.

Having a “sense of urgency” is a value that all SpecialtyCare clinical associates strive to live with, every day. We work expeditiously, both in our daily routine and when unexpected conditions arise. Sure, being occasionally on-call can be stressful, but at the same time, it can be very rewarding. Whenever surgeons urgently request neuromonitoring services, especially later in the evening or weekends, it’s not uncommon to be nervous. You know the patient may potentially be unstable, in critical condition, or have sustained a very serious injury. Simultaneously, there is a proud sense of fulfillment alongside this urgency knowing that you’re likely going to help a patient when they are at their most vulnerable state.

These types of scenarios are especially true in regions that have Level-1 trauma centers or are densely populated; such as New England. Boston and the state of Rhode Island have some of the world’s best ivy-league affiliated hospitals including Rhode Island Hospital (Brown) and Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard). These hospitals both serving as Level-1 trauma centers provide SpecialtyCare associates the opportunity to provide rewarding and life-saving care during a myriad of urgent cases ranging from spine to intracranial.

Although SpecialtyCare neurophysiologists are involved in emergency cases and display the value of urgency in that regard—that’s quite the literal sense. Acting with urgency doesn’t always mean being stressed and acting anxiously, in fact, quite the opposite! Acting with urgency makes each case feel both special and crucial, trusting in our past experience to provide the best care possible for our patients each and every time.

Even though there are many things that are exaggerated on television and movies about the medical field, something that might not be so embellished is the collaboration and synergy amongst the OR team during both urgent life-threatening cases and routine cases. SpecialtyCare has built its reputation as a company with people that are always prepared, ready to tackle challenges, and act urgently—and because of this, it is unsurprising that we’ve gotten the title by so many surgeons as their “trusted partner.”

Author: Andrew Mumford, Surgical Neurophys II, Southern New England IONM Team

To read more about the SpecialtyCare mission, vision, and values, visit our “About” page.