This month we are kicking off a journey that will enable us to create safer, more efficient workplaces at our hospitals in Sugar Land, Clear Lake and Baytown—and we need your help!

The process we are implementing is known as 5S, a system for sorting, storing, shining, standardizing and sustaining. We’ve been experimenting with it for awhile now, and we’re ready to move forward so that everyone can benefit.

In short, 5S is a workplace organization method that enables us to eliminate waste and work more efficiently, establishing “a place for everything and everything in its place.” We expect our 5S journey to:

• Increase the safety of staff and patients
• Reduce time wasted looking for needed items or supplies
• Clear up much-needed space around the hospital
• Make it easier to spot when conditions aren’t right
• Motivate all of us to be tidy and clean up our spaces

5S also ties directly into our 2024 Strategic Plan, especially our goal to care for our patients effectively, efficiently and compassionately from admission to discharge. It can also help us in upcoming certification audits, including Magnet and DNV.

Being organized and efficient are perfect examples of our I CARE values of accountability and excellence.  

After introducing 5S this month, all departments will launch the first “S” – sorting – in February and March and continue on through the other four phases until we reach sustaining in July and beyond.  As you learn more, keep in mind that one of the key elements of 5S is that everyone’s input is needed – and valued. This won’t just be an initiative you read about. For us to be successful, we need everyone to join in, share their ideas, and continuously follow through.

You’ll hear more about 5S in the weeks to come, including information from your manager about how your unit or function will approach the process. In the meantime, you can watch this video – featuring some of your coworkers – which explains 5S and how it can transform our work environment.

As always, thank you for your ongoing commitment to our patients and to each other.

Dr. Boom's Virtual Town Hall

You are invited to join Dr. Marc Boom from noon – 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, for a virtual town hall. At this live event, Dr. Boom will share some of last year’s successes and this year’s plans. He will also answer some of your questions. We will livestream the town hall via Vimeo and YouTube. Please feel free to join us on either video platform. If you can’t make it, we will share a recording of the town hall at a later time.

HMSL's Perioperative Director

Susan Stone's role at HMSL is changing to Perioperative Director, effective Jan. 29. She has been serving as interim director since August 2023. Susan will be responsible for OR Services and Sterile Processing. Her previous roles included divisional director and nurse executive of surgical services and clinical director of perioperative services. Read the management announcement here.

Food Pantry Drive 

Today is the last day to donate to the food pantry drive in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Items collected will go to East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry. You can donate nonperishable food, household paper goods, cleaning supplies, personal and feminine hygiene items, infant diapers (sizes 4/5/6) and wipes. Please deliver the needed items to bins located at Main registration, Brazos conference rooms, Sweetwater registration desk and Main Pavilion 2nd floor (near surgery check-in).

Free Line Dancing Class

It's time to dance! This Wednesday, Jan. 24, there will be a free line dancing class in Brazos Conference Rooms AD. Learn the steps to Copperhead Road, the Cupid Shuffle, the Wobble and many more! The class is from noon until 1 p.m. You will need to register. Click here for more information.

Bright Horizons

Did your child's school cancel classes last week during the freezing temperatures? Were you left scrambling, trying to figure out what to do for child care? Bright Horizons (which offers Houston Methodist sponsored benefits) can help. Find highly trained child and elder care, whenever you need it, plus reserve pet care too. There's even tuition assistance! Click here to find out more!