At the 11th Annual Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference in Chicago on June 14, David Rothbart, MD, medical director of Spine Team Texas and board chairman of Harris Methodist Hospital Southlake (Texas) explained how investing in smart, loyal, hardworking employees can drastically improve an orthopedic and spine organization.
Dr. Rothbart, a neurosurgeon, said at his facilities, he is most proud of how engaged the employees are. Harris Methodist Hospital Southlake has employee engagement and satisfaction results in the 99th percentile, according to Press Ganey, making it one of the highest-rated healthcare places to work in the country. "They care about what they do," he said. "They are excited to do their work, and they are trying to do the best they can."
He explained that a recent Wall Street Journal article found roughly half of all employees in the general workplace are not actually engaged in their work, and he said having employees who love to work for their organization should be a top goal. "If you do not have engaged employees, you cannot create that culture of excellence," Dr. Rothbart said. "They have to feel value."
Executives and physicians at ASCs and physician-owned hospitals can achieve a high level of employee engagement if they follow these four parameters for success.
1. Leadership. Orthopedic and spine ASCs and hospitals need to have the right leaders in place who can place an emphasis on finding the right people.
2. Culture. ASCs and hospitals that don't value their employees will see the detrimental effects, Dr. Rothbart said. Establishing a culture where employees look forward to coming in will allow most other things to take care of themselves.
3. Quality and safety. Healthcare employees, like nurses and frontline staff, are in the field because they want what is best for their patients. ASCs and specialty hospitals must collect quality and safety data and strive for high marks. In addition, organizations should shoot for a 3:1 nurse-to-patient ratio, which is desired among both staff and patients.
4. Growth strategy. Healthcare practices can only grow as far as the group wants to go together, Dr. Rothbart said. Having the right incentives, financial or otherwise, could help.
Dr. Rothbart, a neurosurgeon, said at his facilities, he is most proud of how engaged the employees are. Harris Methodist Hospital Southlake has employee engagement and satisfaction results in the 99th percentile, according to Press Ganey, making it one of the highest-rated healthcare places to work in the country. "They care about what they do," he said. "They are excited to do their work, and they are trying to do the best they can."
He explained that a recent Wall Street Journal article found roughly half of all employees in the general workplace are not actually engaged in their work, and he said having employees who love to work for their organization should be a top goal. "If you do not have engaged employees, you cannot create that culture of excellence," Dr. Rothbart said. "They have to feel value."
Executives and physicians at ASCs and physician-owned hospitals can achieve a high level of employee engagement if they follow these four parameters for success.
1. Leadership. Orthopedic and spine ASCs and hospitals need to have the right leaders in place who can place an emphasis on finding the right people.
2. Culture. ASCs and hospitals that don't value their employees will see the detrimental effects, Dr. Rothbart said. Establishing a culture where employees look forward to coming in will allow most other things to take care of themselves.
3. Quality and safety. Healthcare employees, like nurses and frontline staff, are in the field because they want what is best for their patients. ASCs and specialty hospitals must collect quality and safety data and strive for high marks. In addition, organizations should shoot for a 3:1 nurse-to-patient ratio, which is desired among both staff and patients.
4. Growth strategy. Healthcare practices can only grow as far as the group wants to go together, Dr. Rothbart said. Having the right incentives, financial or otherwise, could help.
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