Effective Communication

Effective Communication

Christopher L. Rubio

HCS/325- Health Care Management

March 5, 2012

Kelli Reid

Effective Communication

Effective communication in a healthcare setting is crucial in order to run a successful facility. There are several departments that must share knowledge in order to provide services to patients. Technology is the most relied-upon and effective way to communicate between departments to reach a common goal; ensuring the patient receives necessary care. In the healthcare facility that I work, there are a number of different programs and techniques used to share knowledge and involve employees in formulating solutions to problems such as Six Sigma and Patient Safety Reporting.

Six Sigma is a program designed specifically to involve subject matter experts and employees around the facility to find the most effective solution to a problem. In order to become part of a Six Sigma team, one must complete a brief course and earn their expertise through training. As training progresses, the employee earns different levels in the form of “belts” (i.e. white belt, green belt etc.) with the final level being a Master Black Belt. “Six Sigma is a disciplined, data-driven approach and methodology for eliminating defects (driving toward six standard deviations between the mean and the nearest specification limit) in any process” (iSixSigma, n.d., para. 1).

There are several advantages to creating Six Sigma teams in a healthcare facility such as employee participation and morale, consistent process improvement, and saving money. Employee participation in process improvement throughout the healthcare facility boosts morale and will make the employee feel like his or her input is valued. The employee is more valuable to the facility by enhanced training and using the knowledge of the employee rather than an outside source, which could be costly. Six Sigma projects can be created through employee...