MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital earned the Maryland Performance Excellence Gold Award – the Maryland state equivalent of the National Baldrige Award. On a national level, the Baldrige Award is presented to organizations that demonstrate high quality in all aspects of its business.
As part of an extensive review process, the Maryland Performance Excellence Award (MPEA) Committee recently conducted an on-site visit. “Going through a Baldrige review is an intensive process,” said MayLou Watson, vice president, nursing. “It also is an incredible learning experience. As a result of the review process, our organization has a new perspective on what we can do even better.”
While at the hospital, ten MPEA review committee members met with administrators, department leaders, physicians and associates from across the hospital to assess the MedStar St. Mary’s qualifications. In addition, the committee reviewed data and discussed processes in place at the hospital which support its business practices as a High Reliability Organization.
One area of focus was how physicians are engaged and contribute to the hospital’s overall excellence. MPEA committee members also studied non-clinical aspects that included leadership, governance, customer satisfaction, workforce engagement and satisfaction, performance improvement, and overall work processes.
“I am so proud of every member of our hospital team,” said Hospital President Christine Wray. “Each person involved in the review impressed the MPEA committee members and demonstrated by example how we fulfill our vision to be the trusted leader in caring for people and advancing health.”
To be eligible for the national Baldrige Award, organizations must first meet their state’s highest recognition. For Maryland, the Platinum Award represents the highest level of achievement. The state award rankings are certificate, bronze, silver, gold and platinum.
