Healthcare professionals from leading acute care, specialty, academic, and pediatric hospitals gathered at the Hotel Del Coronado Nov. 20-22 for Skylight's Seventh Annual Client Conference. The conference recognized 35 hospitals for excellence in quality, safety, satisfaction and engagement. Forty-four awards were given across three categories: Outstanding Achievement in Patient and Staff Engagement, Innovations in Quality and Patient Experience and Excellence in Patient Safety and Clinical Care. The full list of award recipients can be found here.
Emerging from this year's conference, which has grown to become one of the industry's foremost gatherings of patient experience and patient engagement advocates, is a community of engaged leaders transforming healthcare. This community comprises hospital leaders and healthcare professionals from around the nation working to implement programs and strategies that enhance the patient experience and improve the quality of healthcare.
The conference featured three keynote presentations and more than 30 speakers. Client speakers shared best practices and successful programs to improve patient satisfaction, patient engagement, and the quality and safety of care. Sessions also demonstrated effective cost reduction programs and new, innovative ways to use interactive patient technology to help hospitals better manage patient populations.
Three keynote speakers provided motivation and encouragement to attendees as they navigate the consistently fluctuating and fragmented healthcare system. Bridget Duffy, MD, chief medical officer for Vocera Communications, reminded conference attendees that they play a pivotal role in the transformation of healthcare delivery. In her opening address, she asked that we move faster as we implement changes that will make the patient experience better.
Colleen Sweeney, founder of Sweeney Healthcare Enterprises, encouraged attendees to think about the things they say and how it impacts the patient. Colleen offered phrases to incorporate into our internal scripts that will positively impact how a patient feels, both physically and emotionally.
Finally, Dr. Kevin M. Fickenscher, founder and president of CREO, brought attendees full circle when he presented practical leadership lessons that attendees could take back and utilize as they begin to work faster and change their personal script to improve healthcare and the patient experience.
"We started the Skylight Client Conference to create a forum where like-minded people could share ideas, brainstorm solutions, and inspire each other," said Darrell Atkin, director of marketing for Skylight Healthcare Systems. "This year, with help from our phenomenal keynotes and clients, the Seventh Annual Skylight Client Conference was one of our most successful yet. I can't wait until next year when we all come together again to share the progress made by leading organizations in their efforts to enhance the experience of patients and the quality of care in our country."
Dr. Duffy echoed these sentiments.
"Skylight has assembled a truly committed group of healthcare leaders and professionals that have a growing and valuable voice in the national movement to make the patient experience a vital strategy for healthcare organizations," she said. "I am both inspired by the innovators that Skylight has gathered and proud to be a part of a community that shares my vision for more patient-focused healthcare."
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