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Important points:
- The idea of improving engagement can be overwhelming, but combining the elements of teamwork, respect, genuine appreciation and recognition paves the way for happier, more engaged teams.
- Pediatric specialist contact centers and acute hemodialysis units shared efforts to improve engagement. Their work may inspire efforts in your field of organization.
- Detailed instructions and additional resources on how to submit an Engagement Improvement Plan can be found at Employee Engagement Website.
Everyone is looking for the perfect recipe this time of year. The best way to cook meals for family and friends, the best cookie recipes for the holiday season, how to easily reheat leftovers, and more.
While many may look to secret family elements to achieve success, two areas of Michigan Medicine focus on the belonging and inclusion aspects of UM Health’s BASE strategic priorities. I found the perfect recipe for improving engagement between team members.
Paul Sturgis, Senior Director, MSHROD, SPHR, Human Resources Strategy and Organizational Effectiveness, said: “However, rather than thinking of engagement as a final result, it is beneficial to break it down into smaller pieces. We can be on our way to becoming a more enthusiastic team.”
Leveraging these key elements, UM Health’s acute hemodialysis unit and pediatric specialist contact center leaders, along with their teams, have found the perfect formulas for building engagement in their respective areas.
Teamwork makes dreams come true
“Our region has gone through a lot of changes over the past few years. Our team members have worked really hard to support each other during the transition,” said the pediatric contact center Supervisor Courtney Bauer said. “Throughout all the changes, our team truly came together as we worked to create an integrated contact center. This goal would not have been possible without all the members of our team. I am very grateful to all of them.”
Acute hemodialysis ward faculty also focused on developing teamwork as a way of coping with the major changes taking place in the community.
“Our dialysis unit, which used to be closed overnight with an on-call response, is now a 24/7 unit and has more than doubled its staff and treatment levels in the last six years,” he said. Joy DiPonio, MBA, BSN said. RN, CNML, Director of Clinical Nursing, Acute Hemodialysis/INU. “The only way this change has been successful is because of her members on the team, their willingness to trust us, and the way they supported each other.”
Fostering open communication is a great way to build teamwork, build trust among faculty members, and increase a sense of belonging among colleagues.
“We focused on improving communication and meeting with stakeholders to build relationships not only with our own team, but also with the faculty and staff working with us at the clinic,” he said. said David Holloway, Associate Director of Primary Care in Obstetrics and Gynecology. , and pediatric contact centers. “Ultimately, we all share the goal of providing the best possible experience for our patients and their families, so we asked companies to understand how we can partner to achieve this goal. It’s important to build relationships with colleagues across the board.”
Add a little fun
Developing teamwork and community within a unit or department takes preparation and planning, but it becomes easy when you add in the fun. Getting together for out-of-office activities is another great way to bring your team together.
“Several times a year we plan unit gatherings so that all staff and their families can meet outside the workplace and get to know each other better in a more enjoyable and relaxed environment,” said Valerie Liebbe. say. MSN, RN, CNML, Nursing Supervisor, Acute Hemodialysis/INU. “We took a little more time planning our picnics this year, and we also asked staff when they would meet, which shows how much they enjoy spending time together.”
Prioritizing awareness is another great way to add an element of fun. Although there are excellent resources for recognizing staff, Michigan Medical Accreditation Platforminvolve the team in identifying different approaches.
“We have established an Employee Recognition Committee to recognize outstanding teammates and those who embody the core values of Michigan Medicine, including teamwork and inclusion,” says Holloway. “This group is tasked with identifying recognition tools (contact center newsletters, team intranet sites, awards, etc.) and standards that resonate with our local staff. It’s just to make sure you’re showing your appreciation.”
important action
“For areas looking to improve, finding ways to focus on developing environments that are fun and inclusive, like those two areas, is a great way to start,” Sturgis said. “Seeing all the ways faculty work together to support each other and support patients is truly inspiring. I hope other communities will find ways to incorporate these ideas into their own efforts.” I have.”
If you haven’t submitted an improvement plan yet, be sure to log in Press Gainey Portal Please submit as soon as possible.
You can submit your plans by logging into the Press Ganey portal and navigating to Department Hierarchy. The remediation plan tool is only available for department hierarchies, not manager hierarchies. Search for your department and click on “Improvement Plans”.
Detailed instructions and additional resources on how to submit a plan can be found at Employee Engagement Website.
