For health care organizations

Is the pursuit of top quartile results, a target adopted by many health care providers, definitional of excellence when dealing with health, wellness, disease or death? What about the top decile? With so many health care organizations populating their Mission and Vision statements with words such as “best,” “extraordinary”, and/or “exceptional,” what is the performance that defines promises made at these lofty levels to patients, customers, and the community?

We believe it is time for the leaders of health care organizations to step up to several next levels that will result in the truly redefined excellence. The terms used to describe excellence such as “role model” and “benchmark” are accolades that belong to only the most accomplished health care providers. There are few industries that can claim the talent that resides within a health care organization. Yet, the work is plagued by work that is too inefficient and complex. resulting in performance that is sub-optimal in virtually every important measure. It is time for this to change.