There is one thing that separates a high-performance dishwasher from a conventional machine: Chaos.
It's true. Unlike traditional one-nozzle models, which grind away at the task-at-hand ... wax on, wax off ... the most efficient dishwashers have two nozzles, which spin erratically, bump into one another, and produce superior water-washing results — in less time!
I first learned this pearl a few months ago, in an article on the practical applications of chaos engineering — an entire field of science, dedicated to studying non-patterns of apparent disarray in the universe, with the sole intention of making things (operations, machines, etc.) work better, smoother, and at maximal efficiency. The idea that chaos has real value, or that efficiency isn't necessarily organized, nor neat, nor tidy, is challenging to the Type-A, show-me-the-data surgeon-scientist; but it's also energizing. After all, what discovery has ever resulted from acceptance of what already exists?
So inspired by my dishwasher, I've named "efficiency" the overarching motivation of our Department of Surgery activities and priorities for 2022. As I said to my admin team recently: "It's time to hit the easy button!" But I realize it won't be that straightforward.
The idea that chaos has real value, or that optimizing efficiency isn't necessarily an organized, linear process, can be challenging to the Type-A, show-me-the-data surgeon-scientist; but it is also energizing. After all, what discovery has ever resulted from acceptance of what already exists?
So inspired by my dishwasher, I've named "efficiency" the overarching theme of our goals and vision for the Department of Surgery for the 2022 academic year. As I said to my admin team recently: "It's time to hit the easy button!" But I realize it won't be that straightforward. Optimizing efficiency across our missions will demand our collective creativity, curiosity, and commitment.
As we look at the pain-points in our daily operations, and the obstacles that stand between where we are now, and where we want to be (as individuals, and as a Department), let's encourage one another to challenge the norm; try it a different way; embrace the chaos, and trust that what feels a bit messy now, may actually be divine order — the very solution, served up on a spotless* silver platter.
Sincerely,
Nita Ahuja MD MBA FACS
Chair, Department of Surgery