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In this Culture Byte solo episode, Sue discusses the concept of silos within organizations. Silos are groups within an organization that are focused inward and loyal to their own rather than the organization as a whole. Silos can exist between different departments or divisions, hierarchical levels, generations, geographical locations, and/or categorical roles. Silos hinder collaboration, efficiency, and workflow, and can create a perception of disorganization to patients. Sue provides four categories of actions to decrease silo behavior and promote collaboration: “uniters,” empathy and understanding activities, appreciation activities, and learning together.

• The largest silos in healthcare are the clinical and business sides of the organization.
• The most common silos that come to mind are the distinct departments within a healthcare organization, yet many other types of silos likely exist.
• The opposite of silo behavior/actions is collaborative behaviors/actions.
• Think of collaboration as “teamwork on steroids.”
• When you bust silos you improve efficiency and workflow and the patient experience (..... safer and more satisfying care).
• To decrease silo behavior and promote collaboration, organizations can focus on “uniters” (such as mission, vision, values, strategies, standards, goals), empathy and understanding activities, appreciation activities, and learning together.

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