In a message to members of the clinical enterprise last week, Joe Graham, a member of the performance improvement steering committee, outlined four objectives which are vital to successful transformation:
- Improve quality — “Quality is job one. Our principal goals as a clinical enterprise are to provide the highest quality care, the best training environment for future health care professionals, and a nurturing environment for clinical research. The need to improve quality should be embedded into our institutional DNA.”
Clinical Enterprise forums scheduled
Attend an upcoming enterprise forum for updates on performance improvement projects, creating a new culture and answers to submitted questions.Monday, March 17
- 11:30 a.m., Mutual of Omaha auditorium, 34th Street entrance.
Tuesday, March 18
- 11 a.m., Clarkson Tower, lower Storz.
- 3 p.m., Bellevue Medical Center.
- 11 p.m., University Tower, Private Dining Rooms A&B.
To submit a question, click here.
- Improve the patient experience – “The patient experience is key to our success as a clinical enterprise. Our patients often cannot measure our quality, but they do feel capable of rating their satisfaction with our care. While we may separate clinical quality and patient experience, our patients often do not.”
- Improve the work environment – “Our work environment enables us to deliver the quality and patient experience we’re aiming for and we have an obligation to address the challenges we experience today. We must also remember our students, residents, and fellows who train in our clinical environment, and we must ensure that our changes improve the learning environment as well.”
- Align costs with reimbursement – “We must achieve the above three objectives at a cost that aligns with our reimbursement. Doing this will position us for long-term success.”
To achieve all four objectives, Graham said, substantial efforts are required.
“We need your help. We must look at the best models in health care, embrace leading practices, and adopt those that make sense for us. This is transformation.”
Graham called for “the courage to move out of our comfort zones, whether we serve radiology, inpatient nursing, accounts receivable, or any other department or practice. We must have the resolve to change our operations when we identify practices that deliver better outcomes. Achieving anything less than these four objectives is not an option, and we will find the courage to transform our clinical enterprise.”
His message concluded: “Spend a moment visioning what we will look and feel like after we achieve our objectives. Imagine the patients we serve and the benefits they will see and feel. Imagine your colleagues and the improvements they will see and feel. Then, remember that you’re an integral part of this transformation and be proud.”