Winona Health earns Minnesota Hospital Association Innovation of the Year in Patient Care Award

Winona Health earned a Minnesota Hospital Association Innovation in Patient Care Award. Members of the team on hand to accept the award (l – r): Tina Glenzinski, Primary Care Nurse Manager; Rachelle Schultz, EdD, President and CEO; Angela Johannes, Director of Surgical Services; Crystal Stickler, Primary Care Flow Manager; Roderick Baker, Director of Continuous Systems Improvement; Marti Bollman, VP of Primary Care and Wellness; Cheryl Peterson, Operations Improvement Manager.

Winona Health has earned a Minnesota Hospital Association Innovation of the Year in Patient Care award for developing the unique role of the primary care flow manager. The primary care team developed the flow manager position to achieve a breakthrough in clinic efficiency and improved patient and provider satisfaction.

The flow manager coordinates the primary care provider team workflow to optimize patient care, using continuous systems improvement tools so all patients receive the highest quality care in a timely manner. Additional objectives include minimizing providers’ work after clinic, thereby increasing their satisfaction as well.

The work of the primary care flow manager has helped to ensure that:

• The right person is doing the right work to maximize resources and improve efficiency.
• What the patient and provider want to focus on during their visit align.
• Providers get the information they need at the point they need it.
• That the provider and staff wrap up one patient’s visit before moving on to the next.

This results in excellent patient care and improved patient experiences.

Winona Health developed the position of primary care flow manager as an outcome of a project they were invited to participate in with Toyota Production Support System Center (TSSC).

Winona Health is celebrating 125 years of community-focused care in 2019 and has been named a Top 100 Rural and Community Hospital for the third consecutive year. For more information about Winona Health, visit winonahealth.org.