Kaiser Permanente thrive » communication-techniques

Kaiser Permanente makes the Fast Company World’s Most Innovative Companies list

admin10kavesian — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:00:55 +0000

For helping pave the way for change in the health care industry, Kaiser Permanente was named the fifth most innovative health care company in the world by Fast Company magazine.

In the publication's annual 2010 Most Innovative Companies issue, we were recognized for pioneering a shared electronic health record system with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as well as for the cutting-edge research being done at our Sidney R. Garfield Health Care Innovation Center.

The shared health record system with the VA

The pilot program with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs enables clinicians from the VA and Kaiser Permanente to share patient data, such as medical history and medication and allergy information, to obtain a more comprehensive view of a patient's health.

This groundbreaking program is the first to tackle the challenges of sharing data across different electronic health information systems. With the ultimate aim of improved quality of care, patient safety, and overall efficiency, the program could become a model for information exchange among medical institutions nationwide.

The Sidney R. Garfield Health Care Innovation Center

Opened in 2006, the Garfield Center is a one-of-a-kind testing ground for the development of new technologies, practices, physical environments, and clinical operations in health care.

Bringing our doctors, nurses, and volunteers together in a common research setting—which includes the unprecedented Digital Operating Room of the Future—research at the center identifies promising new products and practices to be piloted in the clinical environment.

Current and past initiatives have included an award-winning medication error reduction program, simplified exam room and mini family clinic concepts, a handheld computer tablet for nurses and physicians, and a knowledge exchange program for nurses that allows for more efficient data transfer between nursing shifts.

Making the list

In selecting those companies worthy of the "world's most innovative" designation, Fast Company’s editorial team analyzes information on thousands of businesses across the globe. Beyond revenue growth and high profit margins, they seek to recognize companies with creative models and progressive cultures that define innovation across the business landscape.

Exercise your mind with our brain teaser widget

admin11kcesarz — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:11:09 +0000

Thrive better with a sharpened mind! Strengthen your intellect with spatial puzzles, vocabulary challenges, and number sequences.

Better connections lead to better health

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:02:20 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

At Kaiser Permanente, your electronic health record connects you to your doctor. It also helps your doctor stay connected to your health care team.

In a flash, your doctor can share information or consult with other doctors, nurses, lab technicians, and pharmacists—all working for the good of your health.

We’ve also connected parts of your electronic health record to secure online tools that make it easy for you to e-mail your doctor, view most lab results, request prescription refills, and make or cancel routine appointments electronically.

Our new television commercial shows how these kinds of connections benefit our members, helping them lead healthier—and happier—lives.

Changing the way we manage disease through electronic health records

admin11kcesarz — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:31:22 +0000

Is kidney disease just the beginning?

A new, five-year project shows that the use of electronic health records by specialty and primary care doctors can lead to improved care and early intervention for those with serious health issues like kidney disease.

"The goal with kidney disease is to detect it early enough to make changes that will slow the disease down. If you're more likely to end up with kidney failure, we want to reach you in time to help prepare you for successful dialysis treatment," said Brian J. Lee, MD, the paper's lead author.

Learn more about the electronic health records project.

Critically important information: How to cope with criticism

admin10kavesian — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 21:01:04 +0000

Nobody likes to be criticized. But it’s healthy to know how to handle it with grace. And if it’s reasonable, you could become a better person by accepting it. There are several ways to do it.

Learn how to cope with criticism.

How to make a simple request: Be specific

admin10kavesian — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:59:43 +0000

The first step in effective communication is making a request. If you want something done, just ask. Many people don’t do this, and as a result, they don’t get what they want. Or worse, they get into an argument. The key is to be clear.

Learn how to make requests.

Don’t keep it bottled up

admin10kavesian — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:05:35 +0000

Keeping thoughts and feelings bottled up can lead to a range of physical and emotional problems. Avoid this by learning to assert yourself. We have some great tips and exercises on how to make your point firmly, effectively, and courteously. Learn how to express:

Observations — Discuss your perceptions of the situation objectively.
Thoughts — Share your opinions or interpretations of the other person’s observations.
Feelings — Offer your emotional reaction to the situation instead of blaming the other person for your feelings.
Wants — Request clear and specific action from the other person.

Six steps to help you cut down on conflict

admin10kavesian — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:03:22 +0000

If you’re not careful, poor communication can turn minor arguments into full-blown — and unhealthy — clashes. We’ve identified simple but powerful communication techniques you can use to help prevent normal disagreements from escalating into anything worse:

Express your viewpoints directly without accusing and confronting the other person.
Don’t just look at what’s being discussed, but also at what is going on between you and the other person.
Ask for time to consider the other person’s viewpoint before you respond.
Summarize the other person’s concerns to be sure you understand.
Try arguing the other person’s position as thoroughly and thoughtfully as possible.
Seek a workable compromise.

Four ways to be a better listener

admin10kavesian — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:59:25 +0000

Did you know that being a good listener can be good for your health? Listening is a primary part of communication — and can be the toughest part to learn. To help, we’ve outlined four key steps to becoming more open and attentive to what others have to say:

Ask for clarification — If something is unclear, ask for more information about it. It also shows that you’re paying attention.
Repeat what you hear — Repeat what the person is saying in your own words. Which can help clear up any misunderstandings.
Say what you think the other person is feeling — Make sure the other person knows that you understand the emotions behind his or her remarks.
Interpret the meaning — If you think there is a connection between the person’s feelings and their remarks, tell them what you’re thinking.