Why internal communication is the linchpin of your health care organization

Most hospital execs recognize the importance of external marketing.

I wish I could say the same for internal communication (IC). It seems that internal communication becomes important only when a “crisis” is brewing, or when some controversial decision must be announced. In any case, IC is often underappreciated, undervalued and misunderstood—and that lack of prioritization could be ruining staff morale.

Engagement pays (in many ways)

Effective internal communication is directly tied to employee engagement. Engaged employees are more likely to become advocates for your organization, and they tend to provide better care.

A recent Advisory Board study found that every 1% increase in hospital employee engagement correlated with a 0.33-point increase in the facility’s Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems overall hospital rating (which can affect a hospital’s Medicare  reimbursement).