Culture

Early Shift Ensures On-Time Labs

  • Having lab assistants, not runners, pick up blood samples at 6 a.m. and drop off specimens every half-hour
  • Using clinical lab scientists from other departments to help process blood in the morning
  • Moving weekend shifts for clinical lab scientists to 6 a.m. instead of 9 a.m.

 What can your team do to shift its workflow for the benefit of patients? 

Limber Up to Cut Down Injuries

  • Creating a daily stretching routine, and discussing work safety on a regular basis
  • Discussing proper lifting and pushing techniques, and also the proper use of equipment
  • Posting safe-driving and other safety awareness tips, and highlighting the number of injury-free days

What can your team do to reduce injuries and keep one another safe on the job? 

Blue Wrap Bins Save Money

  • Setting up designated bins in operating rooms for blue wrap recycling
  • Educating staff about the dos and don’ts of the bins, such as no infectious or solid waste
  • Coordinating with a local charity such as Goodwill to help with processing

What can your team do to "go green"? What else could your team do to reduce waste?

Alternatives to Calling in Sick

  • Highlighting options for taking days off, such as life balance days, vacation time and the Family and Medical Leave Act
  • Encouraging a Thrive culture and extending lunch hours to allow for walks and fresh air
  • Hosting monthly wellness potlucks to bond and build team unity

What can your team do to ensure employees know about the benefits and policies that affect them? 

How-To Guide: Reward and Recognize

Celebrating accomplishment builds a positive environment in which people are inspired to contribute their best. It makes it safe to take risks, be creative and participate fully.

 

Calling attention to good behavior increases the likelihood it will be repeated. Successful unit-based team leaders recognize improvement by giving appropriate rewards and recognition to team members and to each other.

Hank Fall 2016

Submitted by tyra.l.ferlatte on Wed, 12/07/2016 - 19:42
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Hank

Creating a better workplace turns cynics into champions of unit-based teams. UBTs help workers, managers and physicians better serve Kaiser Permanente members and patients. Yet even though everyone in the unit belongs to the team, too many people don’t realize they do. Engaging with your team can change lives—including your own. Read on and see how. 

Plus: "Meet Your National Agreement," puzzles and games and great comics that will help everyone realize they are part of your UBT. 

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