This week, Shelley Cohen, RN, BS, CEN, discusses how to help implement quality workplace improvement systems.

Q: My unit just completed an employee-satisfaction survey and quite a few areas that need improvement were brought to my attention. How can I prioritize where I should start and what needs updating?

A: Upon reviewing findings and trends from multiple sources of workplace data, or after hearing a workplace issue verbalized by numerous staff members, you must consider whether it is worth the effort to make the change or improvement or to maintain the status quo. Here are a few steps in the process that will help you make that decision:

1. Identify what must improve This step may sound redundant, but you must determine what needs to improve. To do so, talk with some of your nurses or physicians to gather more in-depth information. To collect this input, hold separate focus groups with nurses and physicians.
2. Analyze and understand the problem Help your workplace improvement group analyze and understand the problem. Make sure group members have all available data and information, and allow time to discuss, dissect, and process scenarios. Ask them to identify specific systems and processes that require improvement, and require them to recommend desired outcomes.

To read the remaining steps to help implement quality workplace improvement systems, click here.

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