Performance Incentive Plan (PIP) results through the first quarter of fiscal year 2016, which ended Dec. 31, were strong in some areas and indicate opportunities for improvement in others.

PIP results are measured in four hospital-wide performance areas: patient safety and quality, patient/ visitor experience, employee engagement and financial performance. Each  category receives equal weight of 25 percent. Patient safety and quality includes three measures: hospital-acquired infections, readmissions and reported near-miss events. Results for hospital-acquired infections, the number of patients who contracted certain infections from their hospital stays, did not meet goals. Results for readmissions, which measure the percentage of patients readmitted to YNHH within 30 days after discharge, exceeded maximum goals and the number of reported near-miss events or potential problems related to patient safety exceeded the threshold goal.

The patient experience category measures patients' and families' experiences at YNHH as expressed in Press Ganey surveys and HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) reporting. It includes: inpatient, Emergency Departments and Ambulatory Services experiences, each of which fell short of threshold goals in the first quarter. The HCAHPS quiet at night measure, which relates to how quiet patients perceived the hospital to be overnight during their stay, reached its target goal.

The employee engagement category is based on three measures: the number of employees who participate in the influenza vaccination program, 2016 Know Your Numbers Plus program and Employee Engagement Pulse Survey.

As of the end of February, influenza vaccination program participation was at 86 percent, below the threshold goal of 90 percent. Employees who have not yet had a flu shot or submitted a declination form have until March 31 for participation to be counted toward this year's PIP program goal. Results for all three employee engagement category measures will be available later in the year.

Financial performance includes the sole measure of the hospital's operating margin. For the first quarter, the hospital's net operating margin exceeded the target goal.

"While PIP results were a mixed bag in the first quarter, it is still early in the year," said Richard D'Aquila, YNHH president. "We need to remain focused on the fundamentals and keep working to improve our performance by managing expenses, improving our safety and quality and consistently providing a great experience for our patients."