One Thing Makes a Difference

More ideas to make patients’ and colleagues’ day

At LVHHN, we’re always looking for ways to improve the patient and employee experience. That’s why we asked you to suggest one thing we all can do to make patients and colleagues happier. Here are some of the more than 300 tips your colleagues suggested during “The One Thing Challenge.”

“Just say ‘thank you’ to others.”
-Nancy Eckert, Betty Karoly, Sharon Agonis

“Pay attention to the little things.”
-Deborah Cherney

“It’s important for physicians not to blame others.”
-Donald Levick, M.D.

“Be approachable.”
-Bill Lenier

“Begin conversations using information on what we do best.”
-Ronald Swinfard, M.D.

“Don’t complain in front of patients.”
-Bernadette Kratzer

“Set an example as a leader.”
-Denise Kaplan

“Come in with a smile and go home with a smile.”
-Tammy Straub

“Greet everyone.”
-Bob Ruhf

“Reward and recognize staff at every opportunity.”
-Paulette Kennedy

“Be friendly and say hello.”
-Judith Rooney

“Put yourself in the patients’ shoes. Tell families to call anytime and get to know them.”
“The small things make all the difference.”
-Regional Burn Center colleagues

“Keep equipment running.”
-Thomas Fichner

“Use humor.”
-Tiffany Yuhas

“Problem solve with staff.”
-Stephanie Pacelli

“Smile and make eye contact with others.”
-Catherine Blacksmith

“Look for opportunities to help others.”
-Sharon Agonis

“Be courteous to patients.”
-Deborah Sterner

“Use respectful communication by educating patients and not belittling them.”
-Paulette Kennedy

“Practice teamwork.”
-Kimberly Collazo

“Always give the most honest answer you can.”
-Janette Rehrig

“Say positive things to everyone.”
-Robin Bedford

“Be proactive.”
-Donna Jenny

“Make sure we have enough benches in all hallways.”
-Denise Knittle

“Stop, focus, make good eye contact and listen to patients.”
-Bonnie Magliane

“Make patients feel they are not putting you out.”
“Make patients feel nothing is too much for them.”
“Be efficient.”
-Patricia Vaccaro

“Be an ambassador of LVHHN to visitors.”
“Be aggressively friendly.”
-Tanisha Parker

“Speak to visitors when you’re sharing an elevator with them.”
-Krista Casey

“Don’t interrupt.”
“Repeat what patients said or ask questions for clarity.”
-Barbara Edwards

“Ask if there is anything else you can do for patients.”
-Margaret Gergar

“Try to understand the culture of the person you are dealing with.”
-Tiffany Cooper

“Say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ to everyone—patients, visitors and colleagues.”
-Gloria Hamm

“Try to relate to physicians on a personal level.”
-Molly Sebastian

“Help families, visitors and guests by making accommodations for them in local hotels.”
-Barbara Rehrig

“Empathize with patients.”
“Share your experiences with patients.”
-Barry Henritzy

“Show patients you care.”
-Taisha Perez

“Just offer a friendly smile.”
-Elizabeth Smurda

“Call patients by their first names.”
-Joshua Iachini

“Make real-time responses to patients and families.”
-Home Care Quality Management colleagues

“Make every encounter personable.”
-Gail Best

“Go the extra miles for patients.”
-Judith Hutchinson

“Sit with families during difficult times.”
-Sarah Slabowski

“Look for patients who appear to be lost and help them find their way.”
-Gloria Miller

“Give information to patients in terms they can understand.”
-Pamela Tobias

“Be observant to patients’ needs.”
-Amy King

“Take time to notice how others are feeling.”
-Betsy Powers

“At the end of every day, identify one good thing that went right.”
-Eileen Fruchtl

“Take time to get to know our patients.”
-Georgann Hafer

“Check with colleagues and share the remainder of the day’s work at the end of a shift.”
-Gail Priolo

“Make float staff feel welcome.”
-Megan Horowski

“Help patients be positive.”
“Hold the door.”
-Phyllis Moyer

“Keep patients warm.”
-Karen Jost

“Know you are working with competent people.”
-Sylvia Fowler

“Inform patients on amenities.”
-Kathleen Brown

“Follow up on questions. Find someone who can help if you can’t.”
-Lori Plitz

“Let me know if you need a hug.”
-Diane Seng

“Compliment patients and offer encouragement.”
-Jill Hinnershitz

“Find out what’s going on in patients’ lives.”
-Mari Stolten

“Have patience with patients and colleagues.”
-Lori Larson

“Start your day with a positive attitude.”
-Betty Anton

“Introduce yourself to patients and family members.”
-Susan Lawrence

“Engage family members in the care plan.”
-Carolyn Davidson

“Show compassion.”
-Lisa LePage

“Bring your patients books or magazines.”
-6C colleagues

“Greet people when you pass them in the hallway.”
-Kim Korner

“Visit patients frequently and let them know you are there for them.”
-Terry Wieder

“Give detailed directions over the phone.”
-Lisa Hendricks

“Let patients know it’s OK to be scared.”
-Sherry Barry

“Give and receive feedback from colleagues.”
-Regina Radocha

“Call patients by their preferred names, instead of referring to them as a body part or room number.”
-Stephen Daley

“Summarize what the conversation included.”
-Patricia Andrews

“Be supportive, follow through and find answers.”
-Anne Brown

“Pick up trash.”
-Vanessa Taggart

“Remind patients to use the call bell if they need anything.”
-Rosa Palos

“Respect cultural diversity.”
-Judith Knoop

“Be nonjudgmental.”
-Beatrice Rosario

“Be accountable and flexible.”
“Be sensitive to what you are saying.”
-Ambulatory Surgical Unit colleagues

This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM