August 8, 2003

Strategic planning process moves forward: Task forces launched

Since the MGH embarked on an intensive strategic planning effort several months ago to determine the future direction of its clinical programs, seven task forces have been launched to focus on key decision-making areas. The task forces will work during the next several months to make recommendations regarding such issues as managing the growth of the hospital, improving operational efficiency, enhancing quality and patient safety and addressing issues related to the quality of life for employees and staff.

Below is a list of the task forces, their leaders and charges.

Clinical growth task force
Leaders: Peter Slavin, MD; David Torchiana, MD
Charge: Develop a proposal for the "optimal" service mix strategy to balance patient care priorities, financial concerns, opportunities to deliver some services at community-based locations and the most appropriate use for limited main
campus capacity.

Clinical innovation task force
Leader: David Rattner, MD
Charge: Identify clinical innovations that could affect the way the MGH delivers care; identify next-generation clinical innovations that will shape the future of the health care industry; and identify processes by which clinical innovation can become a more systematic part of the way the MGH functions.

Expense management task force
Leader: Jean Elrick, MD; Sally Iles
Charge: Develop plans to cut $15 million from the FY'04 cost base; develop plans to reduce the MGH cost base by $75 million over the next five years; develop expense management tools to set targets and measure results; and set priorities for funding and implementation of cost reduction measures.

New business opportunities task force
Leader: James Thrall, MD
Charge: Identify potential new nonclinical lines of business — such as developing retail business, adding " luxury" services, optimizing return on the institution's
intellectual property, and increasing publishing and consulting opportunities.

Optimal use of campus capacity task force
Leaders: Andrew Warshaw, MD; Rick Bringhurst, MD
Charge: Develop recommendations for reducing length of stay and other improvements in clinical operations focused on efficient use of campus resources.

Quality and patient safety task force
Leaders: Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, MS; Gregg Meyer, MD; Brit Nicholson, MD
Charge: Develop initiatives to distinguish the MGH on the basis of quality and safety; set clear quality and safety goals; recommend priorities to the MGH Office of Quality and Safety; and determine how to measure quality.

Workforce issues task force
Leaders: Nancy Gagliano, MD; Marianne Ditomassi, RN
Charge: Develop strategies to address current and projected workforce shortage areas; develop tools to improve the quality of practice life for clinicians; address career advancement for clinically focused faculty; and address diversity and employee career advancement issues as appropriate.

Task force leaders have been meeting with the strategic planning steering committee to finalize their responsibilities. Updates about the work of each task force will be featured in upcoming issues of Hotline.