The PCPI Foundation

An experienced pediatrician and serving as the chief clinical officer of the Nicklaus Children’s Health System in South Florida since 2019. Dr. Ramesh Sachdeva also holds membership in multiple clinical associations and initiatives, including the PCPI Foundation.

Established by the American Medical Association (AMA) in 2000 as the Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement (PCPI), the PCPI Foundation has evolved into a national leader in the field of medical measurement development. Occupying headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, the organization has operated independently of the AMA since 2017. The PCPI Foundation and its members span a broad spectrum of clinical specialties and medical boards of certification.

Dedicated to crafting and optimizing evidence-based clinical performance measurement resources for medical doctors, PCPI members have initiated more than 350 physician performance measures over the years. These measures have received endorsements from organizations such as the National Quality Forum, and serve key functions in many federal health care programs.

Simulated Mannequins Teach Pediatric Care in a Safe Environment

Serving as senior vice president and chief clinical officer of Nicklaus Children’s Health System in Miami, Florida, Dr. Ramesh Sachdeva handles several key responsibilities. One of the departments Dr. Ramesh Sachdeva oversees is the Pediatric Human Patient Simulation Program. This initiative provides health professionals with a consequence-free setting where they can hone their skills.

One of three computer-assisted mannequins, the Pediatric Human Patient Simulator is programmed with complex algorithms that model the bodily responses of a 7-year-old. The device can speak and open its eyes, and also demonstrate respiration of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Users can perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administer medications, and immediately see the effects of both. Two smaller simulators mimic the reactions of infants.

The program offers several advantages. Participants can learn new procedures and technology, improve their communication and teamwork skills, practice for emergencies, and engage in bedside decision-making.

The simulations can be adapted to many situations. Medical personnel can practice procedures such as assessing respiration and heartbeat, evaluating neurological health, and starting intravenous infusions. Additionally, educators, caregivers, and parents can discover new coping mechanisms for children with special needs.

What Is the Dyad Model?

A respected presence in the field of pediatrics, Dr. Ramesh Sachdeva serves as the senior vice president and chief clinical officer at Florida’s Nicklaus Children’s Health System. As part of his responsibilities, Dr. Ramesh Sachdeva works closely with the president of the hospital using the Dyad model to ensure efficiency in operations.

The Dyad model is an organizational structure whereby both clinical and non-clinical hospital personnel work together under a defined system of cooperation designed to help medical institutions achieve their goals. The Dyad model has its origins dating back to 1908 at the Mayo Clinic when Dr. William Mayo, a physician, appointed Harry Harwick, an administrator, to assist him in managing business operations and creating a suitable environment for business expansion.

In today’s fast-changing healthcare sector, the Dyad leadership structure creates an enabling environment for partnerships among various departments. Under this structure, clinical leaders with medical expertise work together with their non-clinical colleagues with expertise in operations, human resources, and finance to complement each other and ensure every facet of a hospital’s operations is well-managed.

The Dyad Model of Leadership in Healthcare

Dr. Ramesh Sachdeva leverages his nearly three decades of experience working in pediatric medicine to inform his work as senior vice president and chief clinical officer for Nicklaus Children’s Health System. Overseeing all hospital operations, Dr. Ramesh Sachdeva works in tandem with the president of the organization in what is called a dyad model of leadership.

A popular leadership strategy in the healthcare field, the dyad model pairs up both clinicians and non-clinicians (in a hospital setting, usually administrators) to take advantage of both skillsets. For hospitals and other healthcare situations, complex challenges are a daily struggle. Leadership methods that take advantage of different perspectives to arrive at a useful model for all involved are usually viewed with approval.

For most healthcare systems adopting a dyad model, a respected leader from among the physicians is paired to work in a close partnership with an administrator that has a history of success. In some situations, these dyad models exist down the leadership chain, going from the very top of the hospital down to lower levels as well. Communication is key for this setup to work; partners must be able to respect different viewpoints and acknowledge differences in skills and background for the partnerships to be effective.