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Phillips et al.
retreats to all employees focusing on the company's mission
of being inspired together.
At Denver Health, pharmacy management was interested in showcasing the work done internally within the
Department of Pharmacy. Most importantly, the management team wanted to highlight pharmacy accomplishments to senior-level executives within the organization.
Pharmacy managers planned a Pharmacy Summit where
pharmacists could highlight posters, publications, presentations, and projects worked on over the course of the past
year. Invitations were extended to all employees with a
manager title or above. The department used a hallway
within the pharmacy as a location to showcase posters.
The viewing event was 1-hour long, with refreshments
served. In a conference room at the end of the hall, pharmacists and interns were available to speak with guests
about the various posters, publications, and initiatives.
There were roughly 15 posters presented in addition to
several publications, and more than 25 people attended
the event. One of the unexpected benefits of the event was
the positive feedback related to getting to see the pharmacy firsthand, as the pharmacy is typically a highly
restricted area. The Department of Pharmacy intends to
make this an annual event as leadership was encouraged
by the success of the program.
The Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center implemented
an award called Positive Recognition of Patient Safety
(PROPS) which encourages front line staff members to identify processes that are error-prone or inefficient and propose
solutions. Operational leaders then work with the staff member to fully develop solutions and submit proposals for
review by the pharmacy management team. Awardees
receive a card and "Safety through Teamwork" pin to recognize their efforts. Awardees are also recognized in e-mails,
staff huddles, and/or a departmental meeting. To encourage
participation, staff is intermittently reminded of this program
in departmental newsletters and e-mails.

employees at all levels. That recognition can also act to
showcase efforts to other leaders in the organization and
highlight the role of pharmacy in patient care. It is important
to develop a recognition program that is consistent with the
culture of the pharmacy department and the organization.
What may be well received at one organization may not work
at another due to organizational and individual differences.
For example, some individuals are not as receptive to public
recognition during large meetings or group settings but are
comfortable with public recognition through a newsletter or
a bulletin board.
In addition, it is important to create a program that allows
recognition at all levels from support staff to technical staff
to pharmacists. A program should be inclusive so that all
staff members feel valuable. As the recognition program is
created, clear criteria should be created and shared with staff.
Staff should also be educated about how to use the program
to recognize peers. The ease of being able to nominate someone for recognition is a vital variable in creating a successful
program. One of the biggest challenges may be to determine
what is considered "above and beyond" behavior for recognition versus what is considered to be a part of the defined
job duties. Providing explicit criteria will aid in ensuring recognition opportunities can be consistently applied.
Overall, those organizations whom have implemented
pharmacy staff recognition programs have found them to be
highly accepted by staff. Recognition of staff is an important
piece to job satisfaction whether directly or indirectly to the
staff member. Once implemented, it is important to evaluate
the program's success and make modifications as needed to
ensure the program supports current culture and staff needs.
References
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2.
3.

Conclusion
As noted by the survey and by those institutions who shared
their specific recognition programs, it is clear that there are a
variety of mechanisms which can be utilized to recognize

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2016;46(7/8):355-356.
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hospital Pharmacy - December 2017