March 2, 2007

Badges foster service culture

Seven years ago, the MGH Service Improvement Department implemented the "May I Help You?" program at the hospital, in which employees and staff volunteered to help create a welcoming environment for all patients and visitors by adding a special tag with the phrase to their regular hospital ID badge. As part of the MGH's continued efforts to foster a service culture at the hospital, the Service Improvement Department is reintroducing the "May I Help You?" program with a revamped look for the badges.

With help from MGH Interpreter Services, the initial set of badges will be available in English and the four most commonly spoken foreign languages at the MGH: Spanish, Portuguese, French and Haitian/Creole. Employees who speak these languages are encouraged to wear a badge as a signal that they can offer assistance to anyone who is in need of help. The back of the "May I Help You?" badge also has a list of frequently used phone numbers to help volunteers better assist patients. Badges in Chinese, Russian and Arabic soon will be available.

For more information or to request a "May I Help You?" badge, contact Leah Abrams at labrams@partners.org or (617) 726-1319.