"Dr. Kashmer's discussions of data acquisition pitfalls and the limitations of benchmarks is helping our organization better understand where we need to make real changes in our quality improvement process as we encounter real world problems that go beyond the available benchmarks. For example, our organization is attempting to improve standards for EMR charting and blood product delivery in our trauma bay. The recommendations which I have gleaned from Dr. Kashmer's programs are helping me to develop better processes which will improve efficiency and eliminate waste. His espoused techniques are making an enormous difference in how I can help my institution deal with problems in our trauma system. I cannot say enough about the positive impact his work has had on helping guide a focus on process improvement at my institution."
R. King, MD Trauma & Acute Care Surgeon, Surgical Critical Care Specialist
"The goal of our publication is to share practical solutions with hospital leaders, so I seek out experts who bring a fresh perspective to healthcare quality and management. I can tell you that Dr. Kashmer’s insights stand out for their uniqueness and clarity. While most hospitals have adopted a methodical approach to quality improvement, the PI process is still often dominated by team members’ emotional response to performance shortfalls. David shows providers how to move beyond ‘gut feeling’ by using rigorous data-driven techniques. He shows how to use data to identify the true drivers of poor quality, develop effective system-based interventions and ensure ongoing results. And our readers have responded enthusiastically to these insights and solutions. Over the last several months, the editorial content that Dr. Kashmer has helped us develop has generated thousands of page views and hundreds of downloads. His passion for healthcare quality—and his generosity in sharing his knowledge—are making a difference for many healthcare teams."
Robert Fojut, Publisher, Trauma System News
"Listening to David speak about healthcare & Lean leaves you nodding your head in agreement."
J. Panco, Sr. Specialist, Standards & Training, PeaceHealth
"Medicine has become the art of managing extreme complexity—and a test of whether such complexity can, in fact, be humanly mastered. At any point, the reality is that we are sometimes as apt to harm as we are to heal.
David Kashmer helped train me and transformed our team's approach at a major teaching hospital simultaneously. He understands that the fundamental problem with the quality of American healthcare is that we’ve failed to view delivery of care as a science. He also warns that effective delivery ought not be ignored since it is just as critical as understanding disease biology and finding successful therapies.
In our ICU, dogmatic practices permeated through our system. Did every intubated patient need a daily chest X-ray and daily lab studies? Was a urinary catheter or central venous catheter required? Couldn't we just stock antibiotics and blood in a satellite pharmacy or blood bank closer to patient care in order to avoid delays?
Frequently dismissed by research funders, government, and academia, quality and delivery of healthcare has always been viewed as the Art of Medicine. That is a horrible mistake that is economically destructive and, most importantly, will cost patient lives.
Dr. Kashmer has demonstrated repeatedly that he has the essential skills and knowledge to gradually modify systems to enhance quality of healthcare. His efforts go beyond checklists and timeouts."
F. Madbak, MD Trauma & Acute Care Surgeon, Surgical Critical Care Specialist