Hospital leaders are constantly looking for ways to improve efficiency and care at their facilities. Although many of these projects are large programs or workflow changes, there are many small initiatives that have an outsized impact.
Becker’s asked four leaders to share one initiative that may seem small from the outside but has had an outsized impact on patient care or staff experience.
Note: Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Vi-Anne Antrum, DNP, RN. System Chief Nursing Officer at Cone Health (Greensboro, N.C.): We have about 60 congregational nurses who provide care not only in congregations but also in organizations serving our unhoused population. They operate in rural areas, often working with individuals facing significant social risk factors. The amount of care they provide — and the way it helps keep people out of the hospital — is truly incredible. They collaborate with our Center for Health Equity to conduct health screenings and organize health fairs. At our Interactive Resource Center, which primarily serves our unhoused population, nurses deliver vaccines, check blood pressure and glucose levels, and partner with an on-site social worker to keep tabs on this population. They track where people are and check in regularly — if someone goes missing for a while, they do their best to find them and make sure they’re OK. So it’s not just clinical care — they’re providing essential safety-net services. The cost avoidance they generate is in the millions each year, but more importantly, they’ve become trusted, known members of the communities we serve.
Jena Hausmann. President and CEO of Children’s Hospital Colorado: One seemingly small initiative that has transformed lives at Children’s Hospital Colorado is our team of medical dogs, or “dogtors” as we affectionately call them. We have a team of eight dogs across our locations who are specially certified and work with our hospital’s team of child life specialists to comfort pediatric patients who need them most. The medical dogs help calm patients during certain procedures, encourage kids to get up and move around, comfort kids who have experienced trauma and even demonstrate how to take medication. The simple presence of a dog in the medical space has transformed care at the hospital for many patients. There is growing evidence that proves animal-assisted therapy can help patients cope with and heal from health problems. Research shows that interacting with a gentle, friendly pet can stabilize blood pressure, reduce anxiety and encourage communication. Medical dogs even help with pain management. For kids who need regular needle pokes, having a medical dog present during a needlestick reduces the perception of pain in kids.
Robert Kent, DO, President and CEO, and Heather Milicevic, Chief Human Resource Officer, at Western Reserve Hospital (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio): Last year, Western Reserve Hospital created a one-of-a-kind “employee resource room,” an initiative to support staff in times of need. Located in an out-of-the-way area of the hospital, the resource room is stocked with food, baby food, diapers, wipes, hygiene products, travel size products and daily workday scrubs; and even seasonal items during the holidays. Supported by donations from the hospital and employees, the resource room has been well received by staff and continues expanding its offerings. The resources alleviate financial burdens for struggling employees, and the discreet location allows employees to address needs privately. The resource room is open 24 hours a day, 365 days. While it may seem like a small action, the project, in addition to its direct staff benefit, also provides a positive impact on morale, well-being and, ultimately, patient care.
Joseph St. Geme III, MD. Physician-in-Chief and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: Over the past 15 years or so, we have implemented and refined family-centered rounds in all inpatient units in the hospital, increasingly making family-centered rounds at the patient’s bedside. This approach to reviewing the progress of each patient and establishing the plan for the day with involvement of the full medical team (physician team, bedside nurse and/or nurse manager, pharmacist and case manager) and the family has a major impact on the patient/family experience and on the engagement of all members of the medical team, primarily based on the beneficial effect on communication and understanding the course of the admission, the diagnosis or approach to the diagnosis, and the plan for the day. Family-centered rounds provide an opportunity for all team members and for patients (depending on age) and family members to contribute to the daily discussion and to ensure consistent messaging.
