Patient Experience Week is next week. Have you thought about the meaning and purpose behind it? Or better yet—how you’re going to celebrate?

The Beryl Institute says it’s an annual event to celebrate healthcare staff impacting patient experience every day. It’s not just about one group of people—it’s the nurses, physicians, patients, families and executives all bringing healthcare organizations together worldwide to observe and celebrate this special week.

So how are you honoring those for all the great work you do? Here are some ideas to help get the celebration started.

1. Throw a party

If there’s food, sweets and some punch, chances are you’ve nailed this whole “office party” thing. Why not add a special cause for celebration? Dedicate an impromptu office celebration in honor of all your wonderful healthcare staff that go above and beyond to make sure the patient experience is an unforgettable one. After all, nothing says “we appreciate you” like a giant cookie cake and some jalapeno poppers!  

2. Social media & website recognition

Website announcements, emails and social media are excellent tools to get multiple messages across to various audiences. Show your gratitude by dedicating an announcement or post to your special team of patient experience all-stars. Most people appreciate being appreciated, and what better way to show them they’re doing a great job than shouting it from the digital and social media mountain tops? 

If social media isn’t your forte, try calling in a favor from your website gurus and see if they’ll make a banner or special announcement on the homepage of your website. Online presence is instrumental in how visitors view your organization, and some positive staff recognition just might be the first thing they see when learning about your company.

3. Appreciation video

If you’re feeling adventurous, try rounding up your most creative coworkers and record a video that voices your appreciation for the people who go above and beyond the scope of their everyday responsibilities. It demonstrates true dedication to making sure the healthcare staff feels their hard work is recognized. Think of it like a wedding video—one that shares multiple perspectives and stories about people who’ve made a difference in their lives.*

*Bonus points if you decide to make it into an appreciation music video.

4. Bring in some furry reinforcements

Animals are a typically huge hit in schools, hospitals and workplaces. Rewarding good behavior doesn’t just apply to canines! Celebrate with your team by bringing in a pack of therapy animals to help bring a smile to everyone’s face. After all, who doesn’t love puppy cuddles at the end of a long day?

5. Lunch and learns

Get the team together and meet somewhere private in the hospital where you can quickly bring in lunch. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it lets the team know their hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Be sure to have some gift cards handy for employees who really stood out in the previous year, and ask them what patient experience means to them. If there are new employees on the team, this allows them to gain knowledge from more seasoned and experienced team members. 

With CLARIFIRE HEALTH^®, team members can give kudos to their counterparts for doing a great job that week. Giving out gold stars—imaginary or not—is a great tactic to recognize healthcare professionals for their hard work. With the ability to capture and share positive patient notes with other employees, it’s a way to see what others are doing, what’s working for them and what patients are saying about the staff. From the notes report, you could print off positive feedback—or even some constructive criticism—and display it in a common meeting area.

Find out more about CLARIFIRE HEALTH and how our software can help you and your teams feel appreciated all year long!

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