Keeping the Lines of Communications Open: A Lesson from Columbus Regional Hospital

Like most organizations, Columbus Regional Hospital (CRH) looks to both formal and informal communications to reach its employees. 
 
On the formal side, weekly electronic updates are sent each Monday to staff detailing “what’s going on organizationally to what I’m personally engaged in that week as the CEO of the hospital and why,” offers Jim Bickel.
 
“The theme, obviously, since we reopened (in October) after the flood has certainly been how we are doing on our flood recovery efforts – that’s from a facility prospective as well as the financial impact of it.”
 
A monthly newsletter called In the Know covers a wide variety of topics for the CRH workforce. Weekly leadership meetings are held consisting of the 50-plus executive team members, directors and managers across the organization. “What’s covered in those meetings is expected to go back to their staff. It’s an opportunity for myself and the rest of the executive team to have dialogue with the department heads about issues they are facing,” Bickel states.
 
Informal communication is also critical. Continue reading