JCAHO and Press-Gainey

Our ER did an experiment. We “assisted” the patients in filling out their forms (or at least the ones the hospital handed out). As a result, the ER scores skyrocketed. This had two consequences. First, the administrators in the carpeted section were ecstatic and visited the ER less, and chastised us less in the department meetings. Second, staff morale improved as a result of the first consequence. Win-Win for everybody. Granted this is not a double blind, randomized study but the results are as statistically significant as Press-Gainey’s. And, out hospital dropped JCAHO altogether.

I don’t personally care for the man, but anyone in the health care industry so deathly afraid of changing the status quo, SHOULD check out Michael Moore’s “Sicko” from a few years back. I’m probably opening a Pandora’s Box, I know, but check it out. It could change a point of view or two on the subject. Or, at least awaken a medical/professional conscience here or there.