Memorial Hospital strives for excellence through continuously allocating our resources where they can best be utilized. We set strategies and goals based upon customer input, past experience, performance data, and other stakeholder input.

As we move forward in 2010, we face difficult economic times in our community, and there seems to be no state or federal solution that can quickly turn the tide. We also face a future with a record number of patients with chronic illnesses as a result of poor health behaviors. Memorial’s Board, Physicians, and Employees have worked together to set the direction for achieving results in spite of the external pressures.

Our strategic planning process begins with employee focus groups to provide input on past performance and future focus. After this information is developed into key themes, the Board of Trustees, Medical Executive Committee, and Executive Team review performance and environmental data to set the key strategies and goals for the organization (See figure below). Progress is measured on a monthly and quarterly basis.

In order to ensure ongoing success, Memorial will focus on four goals in 2010:

• Increase patient access to primary care providers in a timely manner.
• Provide education and services that assist patients after a hospital stay to prevent future hospitalization.
• Integrate each patient's medical data into one comprehensive electronic record.
• Continue to recruit and grow providers that ensure the highest quality care for our patients.

These goals are ambitious, focused and achievable, and will require the realignment of resources and operations in the coming months. As our twenty-sixth President, Theodore Roosevelt so aptly stated:

As we face the challenges ahead, Logansport Memorial Hospital will endeavor to be envied.

Turning strategy into action

Every year, Memorial’s leadership team determines a plan of action to implement the hospital’s strategic initiatives. In 2010, the desired outcomes or BIG HAIRY AUDACIOUS GOALS (BHAG) center on four areas or pillars of excellence:

Customer Experience BHAG – Ensure same day primary care appointments for anyone who calls.

Quality BHAG – Create a "0 defect" 30-day readmission rate.

Financial & Operational BHAG – Implement a full Electronic Medical Record in physician offices and the hospital to meet governmental standards for "meaningful use."

Workforce & People BHAG – Continue to expand and develop physicians and nurse practitioners to meet the changing physician workforce shortages in rural America.

To share our journey toward excellence, these BHAGs or Organizational Strategic Outcomes are posted in the lower hallway of the hospital.