G.R.E.A.T.®

G.R.E.A.T.^® is a simple communication tool that will inspire a service-minded culture. 

About

G.R.E.A.T.^® was initiated in 2015 by Edward-Elmhurst Health and is an acronym that helps remind us that, in the era of value-based healthcare, doing a good job interacting with patients is not nearly enough.

Establishing the G.R.E.A.T.^® service standard helps align our mission/vision/values with our culture and leads to enhanced patient satisfaction, improved care quality and a more engaged staff.  It keeps us on track with our primary goal of delivering safe, seamless and personal care. Connecting on a deeper level with our patients and being mindful of their understanding of what is going on are essential components in achieving optimal outcomes.

Over the course of a few months, 7,000 employees and medical staff working in our three-hospital system went through training. The program was well regarded and we began to see improvement in patient experience metrics.

G.R.E.A.T.^® is easy to learn, fun to practice, useful in all provider-patient (or family/visitor) encounters and keeps us on our constant path toward creating a remarkable patient experience.

Tools

G.R.E.A.T.^® Train the Trainer Presentation
This powerpoint provides you with a presentation to aid you in your G.R.E.A.T.^® training.  

G.R.E.A.T.^® Poster
This document outlines the G.R.E.A.T.^® process.  

G.R.E.A.T.^® Supplemental Teaching Cards
This document contains information used in a refresher for the program.

G.R.E.A.T.^® Encounters Feedback
This document allows you to review employees usage of the G.R.E.A.T.^® communication process. 

Contact us

Inquiries about G.R.E.A.T.^® service standard may be directed to tom.scaletta@eehealth.org.

Edward-Elmhurst Health acknowledges the work of Kristin Baird (baird-group.com/) in developing a similar communication service standard. Kristin is a nationally renowned speaker and patient experience consultant who helps hospitals incorporate GREAT communication into their culture. Kristin is not affiliated with Edward-Elmhurst Health.