Find a practice to try with your team
Always Answer the Phone
This oncology department's service scores went up when it corrected wrong numbers, added voice mail and made other improvements.
- Providing the best service to our patients and members means being there for them.
- Providing correct phone numbers is a good first step
Be Quiet. Respect Nap Time
When this mother/baby unit instituted a regular nap time, moms got more rest and the success for breastfeeding increased.
- Nap times help reduce the number of requests for respite care.
- Created an afternoon nap time, and communicated to staff and family about this quiet period
Easing the Pain
The maternity team's laser-focus on pain management helps it keep service scores high. standardized pain medication schedules, communicated when next meds were scheduled, and reinforced the "no-pass" policy.
- Helping new moms manage pain is a key part of providing excellent service.
- Standardizing pain medication schedules
Improve Inpatient Med Deliveries
The pharmacy posted laminated cards of commonly used drugs, they made deliveries 15 minutes early, and color-coded bins of new meds to distinguish from discontinued meds.
- Reducing the number of overdue meds ensures proper care.
- Identifying potential pharmacy delays can improve service
Accurate Logs = Better Care
The histology team clarified their log sheets, discussed their goals and set deadlines, and double-checked the logs to ensure quality.
- Complying with the documentation process is necessary for quality outcomes.
- Clarifying log sheets can help improve accurate documentation
Avoid Specimen Handling Errors
Lab identified the process, created a process map with highlighted photos and standardized tasks, and placed laminated copies around the lab.
- Avoiding errors allows the patient to get the correct diagnosis sooner.
- Creating a process map helps staff to correctly follow the procedure
Make Low-Sodium Meals Tastier
Food services included Mrs. Dash seasoning packets with meals, wrote scripts to explain the idea, and informed patients about diet options.
- Providing patients with healthy and tasty food helps them heal
- A little packet of Mrs. Dash can go a long way to making low-sodium palatable
Encouraging Patients to Get Screenings
More patients pledged to get screeings after members of this team began a strategic outreach campaign.
- Early detection of cancer saves lives.
- Training and peer-to-peer coaching of staff
Share Your Schedules
Center shared scheduling data with other departments, respected their processes, and got everyone on the same page.
- Coordinating schedules prevents patients from getting turned away.
- Sharing scheduling data between departments improves patient care
Mistakes Cost Money
Admitting team increased training to ensure accuracy of data, created a reference tool for self-review, and conducted self-audits to catch mistakes.
- Hospitals need to file correct Medicare forms for proper reimbursement.
- Training and teamwork can improve the accuracy of Medicare forms
Personalize The Need for Screening
After identifying eligible members for colorectal screening, the team developed a personalized story for each patient, and created a follow-up process to contact them.
- Early detection is paramount to successful cancer treatment.
- Bringing the message to a personal level helps patients to understand
This Test Saves Lives
The internal medicine unit emphasized the value of taking the colorectal screening test, and identified at-risk patients whenever they come into the office.
- Ensuring the patients take the test and return it is critical to early screening.
- Labeling the test as life-saving can increase patient compliance