You Spoke, We’re Acting Communication Team- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
You Spoke, We’re Acting Communication Team- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
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April 27, 2001
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In This Issue:
BWH Unveils New ICU
You Spoke, We’re Acting Communication Team
Hospitals Are A Priority in House Budget
May Calendar
Walk For Hunger
Over the last six months, the Communications Team, one of the five Staff Survey Response Teams, has been meeting to respond and address some of the specific data around improving communications at BWH. The team reviewed and assessed data from the survey that it felt indicated a need for action. The data the team examined focused on improvement areas between managers, supervisors, staff and coworker communications. After much discussion about the challenges of both organizational communication and “local” communication within a departmental setting, the team decided to focus its efforts specifically on improving tools, resources and training for managers/supervisors, since they often are the most frequently used contact point for communication. Carrie Gonzalez, lead generalist, Human Resources, said, “We felt BWH did an excellent job at communicating some of the larger picture items, such as service awards and health insurance/HMO issues, but it was direct manager-employee interaction that needed more resources. Employees and managers both need to be part of the process.” Supporting managers and supervisors around communication issues would be the most effective way to address some of the expressed needs. Because of a need for greater access to clear accurate information for both managers and staff, the team suggested that there be a revision to the BWH Employee Resource Guide, which was originally published by the Quality of Work-life Communications Team. This revision is proposed to reside on the BWH Intranet, so that any employee can access updated and accurate information easily. Bob Hottin, Nutrition Services, said, “The survey data indicated that a majority of staff responding to the survey felt that BWH would not act on the results of the survey. We are acting, and we are counting on the support of all staff to help ensure that our actions and recommendations become positive forces for change here at BWH. We have all felt, from the very beginning, that we had the complete backing of our senior management in this process.” Alisa Finkel, Physical Therapy, said, “I was one of the employees who felt dubious that the survey would change anything. Participating on the Communication Team has been an eye-opening, challenging and worthwhile experience, particularly in getting to know my fellow employees whom I typically would never have met.” “We were also able to bring to the forefront the importance of the Employee Resource Guide, and our ability to deliver it to the general hospital population. Our accomplishments were truly a team effort,” said Les Bucey, RPh, Pharmacy. Stephanie Swistak, executive assistant, HR and Karen Sax McLoughlin, senior manager of managed care contracts, BWHPO co-lead the team to its final stages. Other team members include Vicki Amalfitano, (executive liaison), vice president, Marketing and Planning; Deb Conlon, HR; Leslie Downey, HR; Alexandria Gionfriddo, Physician Services; Keith Marcotte (executive liaison), vice president, Research Administration; Donna Mazza, Ambulatory Admission; Vin Petrini (executive sponsor), chief, Public Affairs; Suzanne Rose, Development; and Sue Schade (executive sponsor), IS.