Why do you need an Improvement Sponsor?

 
 
Tue, 03/25/2008 - 20:35 — Mark Eaton

I was asked today to define what an Improvement Sponsor was and what role they played. Of course, my first reference was to our standard guide to the essential roles you need to have to make your Lean Healthcare Programme successful, with the starter text for an Improvement Sponsor shown below:

IMPROVEMENT SPONSOR
Description A senior level champion who supports the programme of improvement
Roles

§         Attend ‘Improvement Groups’ (and sometimes Chair the Meetings)

§         Attend ‘Opening’ & ‘Closing’ Briefs (and sometimes provide the Opening Brief)§         Assist in the release of resources for events and activities§         Promote the programme of improvement to senior colleagues§         Assist in overcoming blockages or barriers faced by the team
Notes In Healthcare Organisations, the Improvement Sponsor should also be supported by a Clinical Improvement Sponsor. For multiple programmes of improvement, each Pathway should have a Senior Improvement Sponsor and the main programme should have an overall Programme Improvement Sponsor who is at board level.

In reality, the Improvement Sponsor is the 'main cheerleader' for the programme, working to 'sell' your programme to the rest of the board (or to those involved in the Process/Pathway if they are not the overall 'Improvement Sponsor' for the organisation) and they should work closely with the Clinical Improvement Sponsor if this is a seperate person.

The 'Improvement Sponsor' helps set the direction, helps setting the objectives, shows support and encourages people to participate, releases resources and helps overcome barriers and blockages. Without them your Lean Healthcare Programme is on a hiding to nothing, but with them you give yourself more chance of success......so choose them wisely!

Have you visited our main website and signed up for our newsletter yet? (www.amnis-uk.com)