I would recommend that your organization utilize File Maker Pro or an Access database to obtain realtime data on each of your ancillary departments. We utilize a touch screen monitor to obtain feedback from employees and staff at any time that they feel they would like to give input. This data is automatically mined in a database that can be queried at any time of the day to obtain real time feedback. For instance, if I wanted to know how one ancillary department performed yesterday between 1 and 4 pm, I can review this data to see how each person surveyed felt about their overall experience. Because this survey is easy to complete (touch screen with easy to read instruction), people give substantially more feedback than conventional paper and pen surveys, and since the feedback is easy to obtain (each query takes approx 15 seconds to answer) the feedback can be shared rapidly to ensure actions occur in a timely fashion. I have also used this format for staff to rate each other for perfomance appraisals that are linked to our organizations strategic plan and area of needed improvement based on the surveys performed. This use of these real time surveys has raised the bar at my organization.

Our ER documentation/order entry system gives us data on "ancillary turn around time". We use this to communicate any issues with those departments but unfortunately it is only for the ER-it is a stand alone system. I have in place a monthly "Clinical Leadership Meeting". The attendees include the nursing directors along with the ancillary directors and it is basically a time that they communicate the issues they are having and solve them are at least come up with action plans to improve them. The idea to that everyone contributes to patient care and one group cannot work without the other. It has improved communication and solved some issues that have been dissatisfiers for everyone.
joanie.jeannette@verizon.net