better staff engagement is linked to positive … · 2 better staff engagement is linked to...
TRANSCRIPT
FEBRUARY 2015
BETTER STAFF ENGAGEMENT IS LINKED TO POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR PATIENTS
Better staff engagement is linked to positive outcomes for patients2
Introduction
The link between high levels of staff engagement and positive outcomes for patients has been established by examination of the evidence from the NHS Staff Survey and other performance data.
The graphs on the following pages show statistical relationships i.e. how scores on the staff survey move compared to the other indicators.
These correlations show that:
— higher staff engagement is linked with lower absence— lower engagement is linked with higher Standardised Hospital
Mortality Ratios i.e. higher levels of patient deaths than would be predicted
— higher engagement is linked with better performance in the Health Check.
There may be other variables at work and, in particular, the relationship with mortality ratios is a complex area. The research team was clear, however, that these relationships were strong enough to conclude that staff engagement was creating the positive impact rather than the correlation being accidental or vice versa. This has been borne out by the experience of trusts which have been able to improve engagement, as in time they have tended to see improvements in patient care.
About the research
In 2011 a research team, led by Professor Michael West, then of Aston Business School, carried out evaluation using standard statistical tests of the relationship between levels of staff engagement as recorded in the staff survey and other measures of NHS performance. The measures they used included absence levels, assessment of organisational performance from the Care Quality Commission’s Health Check and Standardised Hospital Mortality Ratios. The evidence base for this data can be found in the report
Results from the NHS Staff Survey and related data.
For more information contact [email protected]
@NHSE_Steven
Better staff engagement is linked to positive outcomes for patients3
Better staff engagement links to better patient outcomes
Research shows that where staff engagement scores are high, scores are also significantly higher for patient satisfaction and lower for standardised hospital mortality rates.
The charts below illustrate the links between staff engagement and levels of staff engagement. In particular, they highlight how a move from a medium to a high level of engagement makes a significant difference to patient outcomes.
Staff engagement Staff engagement Staff engagement
Out
com
e =
pati
ent s
atis
fact
ion
Out
com
e =
Hos
pita
l sta
ndar
dise
d m
orta
lity
rate
(10
0 is
exp
ecte
d ra
te)
81
79
77
75low medium high
76.78 77.39 80.86
103.2
97.77 95.55low
medium high
105
100
90
Better staff engagement is linked with better staff experience
Research shows that where staff engagement scores are high, scores are also significantly higher for staff health and wellbeing and lower for staff absenteeism.
The figures below show these results and that moving from medium to high levels of staff engagement makes a positive difference to staff experiences:
f engagementStaff engagement Staff engagement
Out
com
e =
Hea
lth
and
wel
lbei
ng r
atin
g (1
to 5
)
Out
com
e =
Abs
ente
eism
rat
e (%
)
3.7
3.5
3.3
3.1low medium high
3.16 3.46 3.63
low medium high
4.68 4.52 4.04
5
4
Better staff engagement is linked to positive outcomes for patients4
Better staff engagement is linked to better performance
High levels of staff engagement are linked to measures of financial performance.
For example, reduced absenteeism associated with high staff engagement could save an average trust £235,000 a year in salary costs alone (according to a 2012 Department of Health estimate).
Financial efficiencies can be achieved as a result of high levels of staff engagement
Staff engagement
CQC ratings
Staff resource costs
Absenteeism
Patient satisfaction
Efficiencies in patient care
= =
The balance of this evidence is that staff engagement fosters a range of good outcomes, financial and otherwise.
Overall performance
Research also shows that where staff engagement scores are high, scores are also significantly higher for performance as measured by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) through its Annual Health Check Standards.
The graphs below show that moving from medium to high levels of staff engagement makes a positive difference to the results of the headline CQC measures:
Staff engagementStaff engagement Staff engagement Staff engagement
Out
com
e =
CQ
C q
ualit
y of
ser
vice
s (
1: P
oor
to 4
: Exc
elle
nt)
Out
com
e =
CQ
C q
ualit
y of
fi
nanc
ial m
anag
emen
t (
1: P
oor
to 4
: Exc
elle
nt)
3
2.8
2.6
2.4
3.3
3.1
2.9
2.7low medium high
2.45 2.78 2.96
low medium high
2.86 2.88 3.18
Better staff engagement is linked to positive outcomes for patients5
High levels of staff engagement have a positive impact
High staff engagement
Staff engagement
Out
com
e =
CQ
C q
ualit
y of
fi
nanc
ial m
anag
emen
t (
1: P
oor
to 4
: Exc
elle
nt) 3.3
3.1
2.9
2.7low medium high
2.86 2.88 3.18
Staff engagement
Out
com
e =
CQ
C q
ualit
y of
se
rvic
es (
1: P
oor
to 4
: Exc
elle
nt) 3
2.8
2.6
2.4low medium high
2.45 2.78 2.96
Staff engagement
Out
com
e =
pati
ent s
atis
fact
ion
81
79
77
75low medium high
76.78 77.39 80.86
Staff engagement
Out
com
e =
Hos
pita
l st
anda
rdis
ed m
orta
lity
rate
(10
0 is
exp
ecte
d ra
te)
103.2
97.77 95.55low
medium high
105
100
90
Staff engagement
Out
com
e =
Abs
ente
eism
rat
e (%
)
low medium high
4.68 4.52 4.04
5
4
Staff engagement
Out
com
e =
Hea
lth
and
wel
lbei
ng r
atin
g (1
to 5
) 3.7
3.5
3.3
3.1low medium high
3.16 3.46 3.63
NHS Employers
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Published February 2015. © NHS Employers 2015. This document may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission. NHS Confederation. Charity number 1090329. Company number 04358614. Registered address: 50 Broadway, London SW1H 0DB. EINF41001