Last week, Newsweek and Statista published their newest ranking: World's Best Hospitals 2023—first conclusion: the top 10 best healthcare facilities have been ranked high for years. So what's their secret formula?
As emphasized by the report's authors, the characteristic trait of top-class hospitals is the consequence of their strive for perfection, breaking internal silos, cooperation, and seamless communication within the team. Managers of the winning facilities speak of attracting the best talent, a clear vision, high aspirations, inspiring work environments for young employees, and an emphasis on the treatment outcomes. The ability and willingness to continue introducing innovations and motivating leadership also play a crucial role.
It is no magic – just good organization
The hospital that regularly occupies the first spot on the podium in most international rankings is the Mayo Clinic (63,000 employees). The hospital has been working on its reputation for years, and the excellence of Mayo's operations is described in the medical community as the "Mayo magic."
A repeating element of interviews with its management is the statement of "patients first." And this is not just a good slogan.
The Mayo health care system achieves this by focusing on teamwork rather than hierarchy. This philosophy is a part of their history. At the end of the 19th century, William and Charles Mayo, brothers and physicians, together with a small group of other founders, including Franciscan Nuns, created a model of medical cooperation inspired by helping local victims of a tornado. Teams of specialists provided patient-focused care. Back then, no one knew the meaning of "patient-centered care."
Work at Mayo takes place within physician specialties but also at the administrative and nursing levels. In practice, this means that patients receive complete care and service during just a single visit, and sometimes they are immediately directed to a specialist without needing another visit.
What's the secret of the Mayo Clinic's quality of care? Here managers are physicians.[/caption]
Let's summarize the key areas that help Mayo to continue being a leader in healthcare:
In Mayo, collaboration is first, not the individual careerOver the years, the clinic has also built its "digital doors" approach – which stands for virtual service for the patient even prior to the visit itself. Recently, the "home hospital" approach has been introduced. If possible, patients are treated at home, and their health status is monitored through remote health technology. Mobile teams regularly visit patients to conduct additional checks of their health status (maintain contact, provide psychological support, etc.). However, the essential component of the treatment is access to data – working in teams and breaking silos is easier when every team member has access to patient documentation. Another interesting concept introduced at Mayo Clinic: the organization is managed by physicians under a dual leadership model. Managers are doctors, but they are supported by administrative directors. The division of competencies is clear, and such a duo guarantees the reconciliation of clinical priorities with organizational ones. Employees with over five years of practice receive the same salary within their specialty, enabling them to focus on patients and partnerships rather than on their careers. As admitted by representatives of the management, such a model is controversial and requires a different attitude from the employees, but the yield is in the form of good teamwork. [caption id="attachment_28854" align="alignleft" width="1318"]
What's the secret of the Mayo Clinic's quality of care? Here managers are physicians.[/caption]
Let's summarize the key areas that help Mayo to continue being a leader in healthcare:
- Patient-focused approach
- Leadership combined with medical experience
- Modern technologies
- Care coordination, quality without compromise
