Clackamas, OR—Preparations for unit-based teams (UBTs) are taking off throughout Kaiser Permanente, and the Northwest region is on board. More than 50 union, management and physician co-leads gathered last month to begin the transition to UBTs as a vehicle for improving service and efficiency.

The co-leads, representing about 15 departments within Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center, the region's only hospital, and the Ambulatory Surgery Center are the first to move from existing departmental partnership committees (DPCs) to unit-based teams. They represent more than 600 employees, more than half the number set to form UBTs this year under the 2005 National Agreement.

Jesse Gamez, hospital administrator, said that unit-based teams will improve performance. "It's right for us and it's right for our patients."

John August, Executive Director of the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions was also on hand.

"Unit-based teams are not a program, they are not an initiative," he told the group. "This is an agreement on the way we will perform."

Make it measurable

Choosing measurable goals is key to the success of UBTs. These goals, like improving patient care, making a work environment safer or more efficient, are tracked on a scorecard. Co-leads began to identify potential performance improvements at this initial gathering.

They also received Rapid Improvement Model (RIM) training, to help units quickly identify and improve work practices. This method has been used successfully in other areas, such as the billing and collection system as well as coding procedures, and resulted in significant cost savings and better practices.

Unit-based teams will give everyone a voice in how best to improve day-to-day work. Face to face communication is critical for smooth decision making, and co-leads discussed how best to reach employees on all shifts. Using existing meetings, huddles are a way to avoid piling on additional gatherings on an already stretched team. An onsite support group, including members of the Organizational Development department and the Union Coalition, will coach unit leaders team facilitation skills.

Co-leads left the day with three tasks:

• Complete a communication map of the unit to ensure that all employees get the information they need about UBTs
• Work with employees using the RIM method for improving performance and measuring the results
• Schedule UBT orientation for all members of each team