IMPROVING GOVERNANCE PROCESS (IGP)

Self-evaluation by the boards of trustees of healthcare organizations became a common process a number of years ago when the JCAHO began requiring it for hospital accreditation. When used properly, it can be a powerful process educating board members and continually improving board functioning. But many organizations still struggle with how to do it in an efficient and effective manner. In response to this, MHEI has developed a board self-evaluation process that is based on significant research into the appropriate functions of boards, uses contemporary technology to make the process more efficient and enjoyable, and is reasonably priced (see Price List). MHEI's Improving Governance Process (IGP) is conducted in one session (usually about 1 hour) and uses OptionFinder technology to gather and analyze live responses to questions. There are currently forty-three questions that are divided into the following seven categories:

• Mission & Strategy
• Structure & Process
• Behaviors & Values
• Relationships
• Fiduciary Responsibility
• Quality Oversight
• Advocacy

Before the actual survey process begins, we consult with CEO and/or board chairman to make appropriate changes to the survey to maximize its usefulness to the individual organization. The actual self-evaluation process has four phases:

1. We review the questions with the participants to see that they are clearly understood.
2. We vote using the OptionFinder keypads. OptionFinder allows for confidential responses and provides a display of the results as soon as the voting is finished.
3. We analyze the results by looking at them from several perspectives and determine key issues for improvement. If necessary, additional voting can be done.
4. The final outcome is consensus on a set of issues that need to be improved over the next year and the approach that will be used in dealing with them.

Paul Martin, President of MHEI, has conducted the process in many hospitals and says, "Boards love it because they can accomplish a serious purpose and have fun doing it. We have one hospital that included executives and medical staff leadership in the voting process and we were able to show the board not only how they felt they were doing but also how others felt. It opened their eyes on some issues."

The OptionFinder equipment is portable and can be set up anywhere an overhead projector can be used. If you have any questions, please call Paul Martin at (410) 379-6200, ext. 3313. If you would like to schedule a session, you can either call Paul or Kelly Quinn Hogan at ext. 3312.

IMPROVING GOVERNANCE PROCESS (IGP)

Since the IGP uses the OptionFinder technology, we add a charge per participant to help us amortize the cost of the equipment and to enable us to supplement the equipment when necessary. The prices below are based on 12 participants. For fewer or more participants, please adjust the price according to the per participant charge quoted below.

For MHEI or CHF Member Organizations...

Facilitator's time (Includes 2.5 hours of actual facilitation plus up front planning and adaptation of the survey process to the needs of the organization, development of an action plan, and report generation after the survey process.) $1,200 plus reasonable travel expenses.

Per Participant Charge @ $25 each for 12 $300

For Non-Member Organizations...

Facilitator's time (Includes 2.5 hours of actual facilitation plus up front planning and adaptation of the survey process to the needs of the organization, development of an action plan, and report generation after the survey process.) $1,500 plus reasonable travel expenses.

Per Participant Charge @ $30 each for 12 $360