The culture of a work place can be described as the vibe of the environment, the day to day experience of staff and patients, and the way practices are implemented and followed.
According to Beckers Hospital Review, culture can have a direct impact on patient care and patient satisfaction. Hospitals with adaptable culture outperform those without it, as much as 200%.
To improve your culture, here are some things to consider.
Communication is key. If you’re implementing changes, communicate them to every staff member so they know there are going to be changes. If they have concerns, they should feel comfortable to voice their opinions.
Establish where the organization is now. Determine what problems you want to fix and what areas need improvement. Set clear goals and benchmarks to measure your success along the way.
As you achieve your goals, no matter how small, celebrate them! People want to know they’re doing a great job. It boosts morale and radiates throughout the entire organization.
Accountability - establish a process for accountability at all levels of the organization in case goals aren't being met. Often, initiatives fail because no one takes the hard job of holding others accountable. Old habits are easy to slip back in to if there is no accountability.
Mission Statement - every hospital should have a clear mission statement. It should define the overall culture and values of the company. It sets the tone of your organization. Hospitals can use these core values as guidelines for employees.
Never stop improving. As your culture evolves, continue to listen to your employee's concerns and ideas. Listen to their feedback. Acknowledge, assess, and act on it. It’s important your employees know their voices are being heard. This can also help with employee retention too.
Great changes can take a long time. Be prepared for obstacles and setbacks. Keep visiting your goals and believe in your mission statement.
