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How Did the Decision Accelerator Foster Innovation at Alegent’s Women’s and Children’s Service Line?

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, fostering innovation and developing effective strategies are crucial for maintaining competitive advantage and delivering high-quality patient care. Alegent Health's Women’s and Children’s Service Line utilized a powerful tool called the Decision Accelerator (DA) to generate innovative strategies and address complex challenges. This case study highlights the process and outcomes of the DA intervention, showcasing its effectiveness in driving organizational development and strategic innovation.

The Context of Alegent Health

Alegent Health (AH), a prominent health care system in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, operates five large hospitals and various outpatient clinics. As part of a transformative change agenda led by the new CEO Wayne Sensor, the organization aimed to achieve "world-class leadership in compassionate, faith-based health services." To spearhead this transformation, AH appointed a Chief Innovation Officer, Ted Schwab, who engaged two experienced OD consultants, Joel Fadem and Stu Winby, to design and implement large group interventions known as Decision Accelerators (DAs) .

The Role of the Decision Accelerator

The Decision Accelerator is a large group intervention designed to foster innovative thinking, strategic decision-making, and collaborative problem-solving. It differs from traditional interventions by creating a physical space specifically tailored to support large group processes. AH committed significant resources to developing flexible DA spaces, which included moveable whiteboards, chairs, and walls that could be written on with erasable markers. These spaces were designed to facilitate spontaneous meetings and idea-sharing among participants .

The Women’s and Children’s Service Line DA

In June 2005, AH conducted six DAs, each focusing on a different clinical service line. The fourth DA focused on the Women’s and Children’s (W&C) service line, with the goal of setting a vision and strategy for this critical area. The DA was led by VP Joan Neuhaus and was tailored to address specific challenges and opportunities within the W&C service line, such as handling high-risk pregnancies and broadening the focus on women's health issues .

Initial Steps and Diagnosis

The DA kicked off with participants engaging in various activities designed to stimulate innovative thinking and collaboration. On the first day, participants used whiteboards to record events, trends, and innovations across several categories, including technology, medicine, and society. These insights were then shared and discussed in small groups to identify common themes and opportunities for innovation .

The next activities involved prioritizing dimensions of a world-class W&C service line and discussing implications of regulatory and technological changes. Participants addressed key questions about community health care gaps, women’s health services, and obstetrics. This process surfaced important issues, such as centralizing high-risk pregnancies and deliveries, which were debated from multiple perspectives to reach a consensus .

Facilitating Communication and Resolution

A critical aspect of the DA was its emphasis on "getting the whole system in the room." This approach ensured that diverse stakeholder viewpoints were represented, leading to richer discussions and more comprehensive decisions. The DA space included internet-enabled computer terminals and other resources to support informed decision-making during the sessions .

Outcomes and Reflections

The DA intervention resulted in the development of a high-level "horizons map" for the W&C service line, outlining key decisions, milestones, and events needed to achieve the vision of a world-class service by 2015. This collaborative process led to actionable strategies and enhanced alignment among stakeholders. Participants reported improved relationships and a deeper understanding of the strategic direction for the W&C service line .

Implications for Organizational Development

The case of Alegent Health's W&C service line demonstrates the effectiveness of Decision Accelerators in fostering innovation and strategic planning. By creating an inclusive environment for collaborative decision-making, organizations can harness the collective intelligence of their members to address complex challenges and drive sustainable change.

Conclusion

The Decision Accelerator is a powerful tool for organizational development, enabling health care organizations to generate innovative strategies and improve collaboration across service lines. Alegent Health's successful use of the DA for its Women’s and Children’s Service Line highlights the potential of large group interventions to transform organizational performance and achieve strategic goals. At OrgEvo Consulting, we specialize in facilitating Decision Accelerators and other OD interventions to help organizations navigate change and achieve excellence.

Connect with OrgEvo Consulting

OrgEvo Consulting offers comprehensive services in organizational development, including Decision Accelerators, strategic planning, and team building. Our customized interventions are designed to enhance collaboration, foster innovation, and drive organizational success. Contact us today to learn how we can support your organization.

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