GREAT BOARDS 2004
The Online Governance Newsletter

Fall 2004

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Chief Governance Officers. Common among corporate boards, CGOs are cropping up among larger health systems to ramp up staff support for governance to an executive level. Great Boards talks to leading health systems to find out what CGOs do and whether you need one.
Director's rounds. Should board members "make rounds" at major facilities to better understand key operations? Some do and laud the results: deeper understanding of the organization's challenges and first-hand access to information, unfiltered by management. Great Boards explains how several hospitals organize their rounds - and we warn of pitfalls that could lead to micro-management by out-of-control directors.

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CEO selection: Getting it right. Choosing a new CEO is the single most important decision a board makes. We interviewed board leaders and search consultants to find out what works - and what doesn't. Special features: an interview guide developed by Catholic Health East, and Great Boards' 23-item list of best practices for CEO selection.
The board that chased away paper. Heritage Valley Health System in western Pennsylvania has bid goodbye to bulky board packets now that trustees access their board information through a secure "portal" they call "the online trustee." Read how they did it.
Heritage Valley's Paperless Boardroom: Click here to see a demonstration of the Paperless Boardroom.
Note: The portal site requires Windows Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or greater.

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Unannounced JCAHO Surveys Will Require Changes in Culture, Board Work. The days when hospitals spent months sprucing up documents and facilities for the triennial accreditation survey are ending. Starting in 2006, hospitals will have to be "continuously ready" for a survey by constantly measuring, maintaining and improving the quality of care and patient safety. Editor Sharon O'Malley looks at the dramatic impact the new rules will have on hospital culture and board work. Included: A checklist of the 10 questions boards should ask to ensure their hospitals are prepared.
Board's Role in the Strategic Planning Process: How does a board make a substantive contribution to the organization's mission, vision and strategy without getting into management? Great Boards offers a "Best Board Practices Checklist" with 21 tips to help your board leverage its expertise and unique perspective to maximum advantage.

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When Hospital Boards Merge: 5 Lessons Learned
Merging boards of once autonomous hospitals can mean the difference between a merged organization's success and failure. Governance consultant Barry Bader interviewed leaders from a cross-section of post-merger boards and found winning combinations shared five characteristics: a buy-in to a compelling new vision; a streamlined and strategically aligned structure; careful attention to culture; competency-based board selection; and an investment in board education.
Healthcare Systems Discover Antidote to Staffing Shortage: Respect
How did Bay Medical Center in Panama City, Fla. cut its turnover rate in half? Why did Union Regional Medical Center in Monroe, N.C. open an $8 million charter school on its campus? Both these health systems aspire to be an employer of choice by respecting and investing in their employees. Great Boards editor Sharon O'Malley looks at the approaches that are succeeding and what boards need to know to develop a great and loyal workforce.

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