| I think this is a good time for a checkup, or | | | | are really concerned about the health andattitudes |
| physical as it is termed in the healthcare industry. | | | | of their patients and clients. They use surveys |
| I mean this is a good time to check the health of | | | | and they question andlisten. Some even use a tool |
| your site or setting. As healthcare providers, we | | | | called quality function deployment when |
| are dedicated to curing our patients of their ills | | | | designingnew facilities or programs. |
| and keeping them healthy. My question is, "Do you | | | | Besides listening to patients, they pay close |
| have the same attitude about the place you | | | | attention to their employees. Theyactively seek |
| work?" Is your site meeting its highest goals? If | | | | ideas from the employees on how things could be |
| not, then it is time for a change. | | | | done better. Theywant to have their employees |
| I think that as a group healthcare sites are a lot | | | | enjoy working at their site and support its mission. |
| like our patients. Some patientsdon't work hard at | | | | The leaders of such sites actively reflect this |
| keeping healthy. In fact, many engage in behavior | | | | attitude. |
| that is verydetrimental to their well-being. You | | | | Further, such sites seek ways to improve the |
| probably can easily image such a person. | | | | processes at their site. They cut wasteand save |
| Maybe they are very overweight. Well, there are | | | | time and improve the bottom line. Many tools for |
| many healthcare facilities that arelike that. They | | | | doing this can be foundin quality disciplines such as |
| have many processes in which there are steps | | | | Lean Healthcare and Six Sigma. You can find a |
| which add no value,that are a complete waste of | | | | verygood white paper on Lean Healthcare at the |
| time and effort. Then, there are patients who do | | | | website. |
| a lotof the right things. They eat correctly, get a | | | | What are the results of these positive and active |
| good amount of exercise, and generallyhave a | | | | approaches? Our patients arehappier, fitter, and |
| positive outlook. There are a few healthcare | | | | find time to do the things they want. They |
| facilities that are fit too. | | | | generally live longerwith fewer health problems. |
| What does a healthcare site in not so good shape | | | | Healthcare sites which are actively engaged |
| look like? These sites, I believe,have as their goals | | | | incontinuous quality improvement programs |
| just to meet their compliance standards, those | | | | generally find that they have the time |
| set by the state, | | | | toaccomplish their objectives and don't feel |
| JHACO, or the FDA or some other body. As long | | | | rushed, they have an improved bottomline, and |
| as they are being accredited, theyare satisfied. | | | | they rarely experience adverse events. The |
| Their attitude may be, "If it isn't broken, don't | | | | doctors don't have to workimpossible hours to |
| change it." They arelike patients who are content | | | | accomplish all they want. They work as a team. |
| to just sit on the couch, watch TV, and eat | | | | Let me encourage you at this time to sit down |
| whateverthey like as long as they don't feel | | | | with your colleagues and leaders andassess the |
| poorly. | | | | health of your site. If you find that you fall short |
| What does a healthcare site in good shape look | | | | of what you should be, Ihope that you put in the |
| like? I believe that such sites arecontinually looking | | | | effort to reach the best goals. After all, we |
| for ways to better themselves. They engage in | | | | expect thesame from our patients, don't we? |
| "continuousquality improvement" activities. They | | | | |