The influence of employee engagement on organizational outcomes: a case study at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC

Under the Affordable Care Act, hospitals are now reimbursed based on the patient experience and clinical outcomes. Recognizing the critical role of employees in shaping key elements of the patient experience, many organizations are turning to employee engagement as a way to maximize value-based reimbursement and thrive in a value and consumer driven environment. This paper provides an overview of the organizational benefits of employee engagement, including patient satisfaction, higher quality of care, and better financial results, and focuses on the key drivers of engagement in health care. A case study on employee engagement at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC studies the link between engagement and organizational outcomes on two inpatient units. The case study found certain organizational outcomes such as patient satisfaction and perceived quality of care to be correlated with engagement, and also highlighted the role of the direct manager in driving changes in unit level engagement. The public health relevance of this paper is through understanding the benefits and drivers of engagement, organizations can improve patient outcomes and the health of the community, while positioning the organization for a viable future