You Have the Bright Idea!!!

I have a GREAT idea!!! What if we. . .

Has that ever happened to you? You have some great idea for improving your workflow or how your department functions but you are not sure how or where to share it? We would like to hear those ideas, regardless of how great or trivial you may think they are. The University of Utah Orthopaedic Center now has an online submission address at: uuoc_engagement_team (-at-) lists.hsc.utah.edu

We originally had a “Bright Ideas” box in the cafeteria but we have moved it online. We will also communicate with you the progress of implementing those ideas if it is applicable. Constructive criticism is also a welcome form of considering how we operate.  This online tool will be available to you year round and the best idea(s) will recieve a gift certificate from the Orthopaedic Center.

Coincidentally, this comes just as the University of Utah Hospitals & Clinics have asked for great ideas to be submitted to the Hospital Administration as noted below in the note from David Entwistle. They are having a contest for the great idea which ends May 1^st  and the winner will win a dinner for their clinic. 

Scott~

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Dear staff,

Thank you to everyone who took the time to attend our employee forums over the past several weeks. Everyone is invited to submit an idea for our Innovation Contest. No idea is too small! The best idea will win a dinner for your department hosted by Hospital Administration.
How to participate:

1.      Come up with an innovation for the patient experience, a quality improvement, or financial growth/strength.

2.      Email your innovation to Hospital Ask Admin (in Outlook or Hospital-AskAdmin@umail.utah.edu). Be sure to include:

a.      1-2 paragraph summary (no more) of your idea and

b.      Your name, phone number, and department

Application Deadline:  May 1, 2011
We are looking forward to learning about your innovative ideas to help us continue to provide an exceptional patient experience, top-notch quality and financial strength. 

Regards,

David Entwistle, CEO

University of Utah Hospitals & Clinics


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Even at #1, we are always seeking to improve. The areas we would love your input are: Green Team- center efficiency, clinic flow, team building and Ortho Team Goal, patient satisfaction, staff satisfaction, and overall workplace cohesion.

Update:  6/23/2011

Dear staff,

We’re pleased to announce the winners of our Innovation Contest. As you recall, during our spring employee forums we asked you to share your innovative ideas around our three goals (patient experience, quality and financial strength). Over 140 people sent in some very inventive and thought-provoking ideas. Thank you all for your participation—we love hearing your thoughts.

From this competitive field of great ideas, two of them stood out.

·         “Paperless billing option for University of Utah Health Care patient statement” - Aimee Wilson, Human Resources

·         “Restaurant-style buzzers while you wait for your prescription to be filled” - Christina Beckwith, Drug Information Service / Pharmacy

We liked these ideas because they are patient-centered and technically feasible with minimal investment. We are investigating how we might implement them in the near future. Read the full text of the winning ideas on Intercomm.

Thank you again to everyone who shared their ideas. We are proud to work in an environment where employees can help to shape how we deliver the best care in the region.

Regards,

David Entwistle, CEO

University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics

Quinn McKenna, COO

University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics

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