“ALL HANDS ON DECK”
“ALL HANDS ON DECK”
ALL HANDS ON DECK-a phrase typically used as a nautical point of reference. Sailors, regardless of their rank, position, or title were responsible for ensuring immediate attention at a minutes notice when a call for ALL HANDS ON DECK was announced to avoid disaster at sea. With a concentrated focus, much was accomplished in a short amount of time when every person aboard worked diligently to a desirable outcome. A spirit of unity and mutual respect among crewmen ultimately preserved their lives in the face of the most adverse situations.
Understanding the significance of this phrase ALL HANDS ON DECK, The University of Toledo Medical Center has adopted this phrase to create a movement among all staff. While we are not at sea looking to avoid a shipwreck, we are nonetheless in a period of time where health care is drastically evolving into a metrics of measurable outcomes weighted both through service and clinical outcomes. Once more, these same measurables (HCAHPS Patient Satisfaction Surveys) will determine the level of financial reimbursement each hospital will receive from the Federal Government through Value Based Purchasing. In short, with this incentive program, hospitals that provide the proper holistic service through the eyes of their stakeholders stand to gain significantly, financially speaking. On the other hand, those hospitals who continue to struggle with patient satisfaction outcomes will ultimately risk losing millions. It truly is a new day in the health care systems across America and those providers who understand the significance of the moment will clearly distinguish themselves among the nation’s elite.
In establishing ourselves as an elite hospital, it’s ALL HANDS ON DECK as we seize our moment. A spirit of unity in purpose across our Medical Center is taking place. From the front line staff to our physicians and every department in between, a movement of ALL HANDS ON DECK has captured the mindsets of so many in such a short period of time. Just to think, it started with a small group (Gang of Five) who decided to become contagious and take the message to their areas of influence. Within in six weeks we have accomplished so much. Our Physicians are beginning to round with our nurses, our IT department has developed a Clinician Hotline (3333) to service specifically our clinicians, Facilities and Construction are working to develop a quiet hospital, our outpatient clinics are developing action plans to improve the care they provide. Each service line is evaluating how they deliver the essentials as it relates to our global initiatives; hourly rounding, effective service recovery, universal scripting, and responding immediately to call lights. Truly a spirit of purpose is beginning to take shape at The University of Toledo of Medical Center. ALL HANDS ON DECK-it’s going to take everyone doing their part in evaluating their ability to deliver the quality of service necessary to distinguish ourselves as top rated hospital. This is our moment, our town, our hospital.
Are your Hands on Deck?
Tony Urbina is the Director of iCARE University. Although he is graduate of Bowling Green State University, he completed his graduate work with the blue and gold. Tony is very passionate about life and believes in the value of those we serve and work with. As General Schwarzkopf once said; “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” When we decide to put people first; we ultimately enrich our own lives.
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