ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces cultural concepts which healthcare leadership should consider in order to best utilize evidence, information and knowledge (EI&K). Commitment to EI&K can drive transparency, error/incident reporting, communication, teamwork and learning. Challenges in implementing EI&K efforts are mapped to these concepts to underscore the role of administrative leaders and champions in resourcing EI&K programs. Often in healthcare there is a separation between the institutional structure and policies established by the leadership and administrators of an organization and the realities of the constraints and patient-level practices of the individual healthcare clinician. This difference is aptly described as the sharp end blunt end interaction. Narrowing the gap between the blunt end and the sharp end in the design of policies and procedures is one way to minimize the difference between these two fields of vision. Curiosity, questioning, listening, seeking and sharing tacit knowledge are all encouraged to proactively identify and address holes in the Swiss Cheese.
