When it comes to signs a hospital is headed for trouble, look first at the board because it is ultimately responsible and must hold itself, the medical staff and management accountable. If your board of directors has too many of these characteristics, there are problems already.
- A few people dominate discussions and make most of the decisions.
- There are inadequate educational resources for board members.
- The board does not establish annual goals for itself.
- Quality and planning are not at the top of the board’s monthly agenda.
- Most of the Board meeting is devoted to looking at what happened last month rather than planning for the future.
- Committee discussions are rehashed at the board meeting.
- Compliance is not dealt with formally.
- Board meeting materials are not received at least a week in advance of the meeting.
- The board is frequently asked to make “emergency” decisions.
- Board reports are not created to meet board needs but are recycled management reports.
- The board meets irregularly.
- The board does not go into executive session with its auditor, compensation consultant and general counsel.
- Board membership stagnant with little or no turnover.
- There is no annual board self-evaluation or it is not used to improve performance.
- Board members sell goods and services to the hospital.
- Board members are selected through a political process rather than on needed skills.
- Board members do not contribute financially to the facility.
- The board does not have a quality program with annual goals.
- The board rubber stamps credentialing privileging recommendations.
- The board has accepted substandard performance over time.
- There is not a strong conflict of interest policy.
- A consent agenda is not used.
- The executive team does not participate freely at board meetings.
If any of this sounds familiar you should consider having a thorough assessment. Call Peter J. Betts at 941-358-6131 or send an email to peter@peterjbetts.com.
