Consider culture, region in choosing consultant
When choosing a consultant for your hospital or department, keep in mind your organization’s culture and location, advises John Hansmann, MSIE, region manager of management engineering for Intermountain Health Care in Provo, UT.
"People definitely do things in a certain manner in some parts of the country," he says. "There are areas that are very laid-back, so the [organizational] culture is laid-back. A consultant company coming in with an autocratic, dictatorial approach will have to mold to that culture a little for its recommendations to be bought."
On the other hand, in a part of the country that’s driven and fast-paced, laissez-faire ideas and a soft schedule may frustrate everyone involved. "You don’t want to kowtow to the culture you need to push the envelope but you have to be aware of those differences," Hansmann says.
Similarly, although you don’t want to get entangled in political battles, you may have to participate to some degree, or you won’t get the outcomes you want, he says.
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