You Spoke, We’re Acting- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
You Spoke, We’re Acting- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
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April 13, 2001
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In This Issue:
BWH and MGH Top NIH Research Funding
You Spoke, We’re Acting
Cape Cod Hospital Pairs with BWH
Volunteers of the Year
Increased Shuttle Service
New Division Named
Clerical Support Week
Traffic Advisory: Boston Marathon and Red Sox Game
In the News
The Teamwork Action Team, one of five teams created to respond to the results of BWH’s first ever Staff Survey conducted in June 1999, is working to reinforce teamwork and develop systems to foster a respectful and cooperative culture at BWH. While those who took the Survey provided an overall teamwork favorability rating of 67 percent, team members concentrated on implementing recommendations to improve staff behaviors such as respect, collaboration, positive attitude and acceptance. In addition, the group is addressing ways to build a team-oriented organizational culture. “Participation on the team has provided an opportunity to meet and work with new people and to collaborate on ways to create a sense of teamwork that will improve the quality of life for our employees and benefit our patients as well,” said Patti Salamone, administrative ombudsman at BWH and team liaison. The team’s efforts address the Survey data related to teamwork that ranked 55 percent favorable or less. Some of these include:
“My workgroup has a climate in which different opinions are valued,”
“I can obtain cooperation and assistance I need from other departments” and
“There is close cooperation between departments to provide quality care.”
The team reviewed survey responses and identified themes that impacted the results. Communication, training, education and process issues emerged as areas of focus and subgroups were then formed to further develop, assess and evaluate the following recommendations:
Enhancements to BWH’s orientation for new employees and the development of department specific orientation programs and materials;
The development and implementation of “Teamwork Rounds,” interdepartmental meetings or sessions where a department will meet with other departments with which it frequently interacts to build relationships and enhance communication and mutual understanding;
“Pod B Cross-Educational Forums” designed to highlight practices, issues and projects being worked on by teams throughout the institution; and
“Traveling Town Meetings” with representatives of senior management.
Maureen Young Manns, director, Chaplaincy Services and team member, says, “Creativity and enthusiasm of the team members in working to improve teamwork has made this task exciting and fun as well as important.”
The team is currently running a pilot testing the theories surrounding “Teamwork Rounds” with two departments and continuing work on detailed plans for the other recommendations. “I have experienced an exceptional level of commitment from this team to generate reasonable and creative action plans for solution of specific issues,” said Susan Kelly, finance manager, Dermatology and team co-leader. “I feel we have bonded as a team, which has allowed us to be very productive and generate tremendous ideas.” Other members of the Teamwork Action team include Diane Cerce (liaison), Carrie Coleman, John Fernandez (executive sponsor), Michael Fraai (leader), Paula Johnson, MD (executive sponsor), Janet Korman-Parra, Nancy Masaschi (facilitator), Cyndi Slater, Barbara Stowe, Lexis Tegan and Patricia Wattree.