With fiscal year 2019 upon us and the results of our Fall 2017 Engagement Survey available, now is the perfect time to reflect on how far Pennsylvania Hospital has come in the past year and to reestablish our goals to ensure our institution is exceptional in every way.
In Pennsylvania Hospital’s 267-year history, we have never been “average.” Average individuals don’t establish the nation’s first hospital or forge new ground as health care leaders across disciplines. Average individuals don’t create meaningful connections with underserved communities or strive to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable populations both on and off the clock. Our hospital is characterized by clinical excellence and unmatched compassion, and as our positive trajectory over the past three surveys indicates, PAH doesn’t settle for an average workplace culture either.
Departmental leaders recently participated in an “Engagement Boot Camp” to refresh their understanding of their impact on staff engagement. Engaged employees don’t just enjoy coming to work, but they are empowered by their work and invested in their patients’ outcomes, their department’s goals, and the hospital’s success, and they strive to go above and beyond. All of this translates to improved patient experiences, a stronger culture of safety, and better staff retention.
I believe that every member of the PAH team can play a part in ensuring our survey scores reflect our determination to propel towards higher standards of excellence. You can do this by supporting your colleagues and recognizing their achievements, building meaningful relationships both within and outside of your departments, and taking advantage of opportunities to develop professionally and exercise new skills. In cultivating a pride in PAH that is reflected in interactions with peers and patients alike, we will help each other flourish individually as our institution thrives.