(A163a) Gold-Medal Performance: “Operational Readiness Assessments” for High-Risk Workplaces

Abstract

This presentation will demonstrate that the use of an “Operational Readiness Assessment” was successful in identifying high-performance strategies for frontline-responders, namely surgeons, air traffic controllers, police, and world-class athletes. This research-based approach confirms that best performers in high-risk situations prepare similarly to elite athlete, specifically relating to their emphasis on mental readiness. A framework (Orlick's “Model of Excellence”) developed by researchers who worked with Olympic athletes has a proven replication within very different high-risk disciplines. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis of mental readiness was provided based on in-depth interviews with exceptional professionals regarding their best and less-than-best performances. These findings were assessed to determine the presence of common success elements, including: (1) commitment; (2) confidence; (3) mental preparedness; (4) focus/refocus; and (5) seeking and accepting feedback. This refined assessment tool combines the methodological rigour of academic research with a highly readable and practical analysis of specific techniques that increase effectiveness. Challenges were defined from a frontline-perspective. The balance between technical, physical, and mental readiness were compared. Success skills, performance blocks and influencing factors for optimal performance were detailed. Ten practical recommendations are discussed relating how preparedness of frontline-operations strengthens performance, productivity, and morale. An “Operational Readiness Assessment” is a powerful tool with proven value in hospital, paramilitary, corporate, and industrial settings in which there is a need to be well prepared for, risks of injury or death, large equipment/financial expenditures, complacency, fatigue, and significant consequences of errors. It has been described as an indispensable addition to current work in recruitment, career development, e-learning, role-modeling and future research benchmarks. For example, new performance-indicators for mental readiness were incorporated into surgical-resident evaluations, national situational-awareness training was instituted for seasoned air-traffic controllers, and mental-survival e-modules now enhance police coach-officer programs. Ultimately, a “winning” strategy for managing risk is promoting a healthy, prepared workforce resulting in a safer community.