Ideas That Work: Handwritten Thanks

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Let All Staff Sign Patient Get-Well Cards


sign his get-well card GET WELLEach staff member who cared for the patient should sign his get-well card.

HANDWRITTEN THANKS
Let All Staff Sign Patient Get-Well Cards

We mail all patients a get-well card that's signed by each staff member they met during their time with us in the OR, starting with the pre-admission nurse who interviews the patient before surgery. The card, part of the chart, travels with the chart. It's then signed by the front desk/admissions person, pre-op nurse, circulator, surgery tech and PACU nurse. If any additional staff are involved with the patient, such as a CNA or transporter/orderly, they also sign. The circulator also writes in the name of the surgeon and anesthesiologist. The card thanks the patient for choosing our facility and wishes him well through his recovery. This simple gesture has made a big difference in our customer service scores. It's a pleasant surprise to patients that we care enough to send them this signed card. They often mention the cards when we do our follow-up call, too.

Deborah Munoz, RN, MHA
Desert Springs Hospital
Las Vegas, Nev.
[email protected]

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