Issues in designing, implementing and administering a successful employee-suggestion program in health care.

This paper discusses the critical issues that must be addressed when designing, implementing and managing an employee suggestion program in a health-care organization. The issues presented include a discussion of the basic structure of the plan, participation eligibility, the scope of eligible suggestions, administration of the program, types of awards, size of the awards, evaluation of suggestions, distribution of awards, promotion of the program, and top management support. Specific recommendations are made for designing employee suggestion programs that work.