Culture of excellence Patients and families expect high standards of care when it comes to all types of healthcare. Creating a culture of excellence within an organization is necessary to increase patient satisfaction and improve patient outcomes. This article will look at a hospital that is creating a culture of excellence within the organization to deliver these results. Committees have been established within the organization to review all aspects of the hospital and its operations to receive input to create change. This company is implementing high standards of care and practice that provide a culture of excellence. Review current articles to understand what defines excellence and how important it is to an organization. This article will also summarize and analyze the interview of a unit manager involved in implementing a culture of excellence. This author will also discuss the nursing theories and standards of practice that lead to the evaluation of this particular topic. This article will also examine how the author's journey through the graduate program has changed her nursing profession and the opportunities it will open up in the future. Project Description How do we define a culture of excellence and then realize it? “Excellence, by definition, means a state of (high) quality, superiority, eminently good, superior, or first class” (Wiggins & Hyrkas, 2011, p. 1). Most healthcare organizations depend on reimbursement from private insurance, Medicare/Medicaid, private pay, and investors. Reimbursement for Medicare/Medicaid depends in part on patient satisfaction, which is assessed through the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS). These surveys evaluate all aspects of the patient… middle of paper… Thor has learned valuable tools to ensure optimal communication and listmaking with everyone he encounters. The opportunity he had to develop new skills and improve old ones created many new opportunities for his future. Works Cited Alligood, M. R., & Tomey, A. M. (2010). Nursing theorists and their work (7th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier. Behavioral standards [Core values]. (2014). St Luke's Presbyterian Medical Center: Health One.Cliff, B. (2012, May/June). Excellence in patient satisfaction within a patient-centered culture. Journal of Healthcare Management, 57, 157-159. http://dx.doi.org/ Retrieved from Wiggins, M. S., & Hyrkas, K. (2011). Achieving excellence in nursing management. Journal of Nursing Management, 19, 1-4.Yoder-Wise, P. S. (2011). Leading and managing nursing care (5th ed.). St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Mosby.