At Animal Emergency Australia (AEA), we know that true collaboration is the backbone of exceptional care. However, the physical distance between our teams can sometimes stand in the way of effective communication and cooperation. While separating teams by department or location might seem efficient, it can often lead to inefficiencies, misunderstandings, and missed opportunities. More than that, it can create a ‘them versus us’ mentality, which is something we must strive to overcome.
Inspired by the successful approach taken by Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we’ve been rethinking how we organise our teams across different locations. We’ve started to explore new ways to bring related departments closer together, both physically and virtually, to enhance cross-departmental collaboration. This isn’t just about proximity—it’s about breaking down barriers that prevent us from working as one unified team.
Support services like Finance, P&C, and Marketing are the lifeblood of our operations, yet they often feel distant from the clinics they serve. On the flip side, clinical teams might not fully appreciate the vital role AEA Support plays in their success. To bridge this gap, we’ve introduced initiatives to bring clinical and non-clinical teams together in meaningful ways. Whether it’s support team members spending time in hospitals to assist for a shift, or simply working alongside their clinical colleagues for a day, these interactions help us build stronger connections and mutual respect. And when we co-host internal events like our national Campfire day, it’s an opportunity for everyone to come together, celebrate our collective achievements, and align on where we’re headed as an organisation.
In our larger hospitals, we’ve begun redesigning workspaces to bring frequently collaborating teams closer together. By creating shared spaces where veterinarians, medical staff, and administrative teams can work side by side, we’re fostering an environment where spontaneous communication and problem-solving can flourish. This isn’t just about improving efficiency—though it certainly does—it’s about reducing errors and ensuring that every patient receives the best care possible. This approach has shown real promise within our leadership teams and during our GGOB huddles.
For our smaller or more geographically dispersed locations, we’re turning to technology to bridge the gap. Virtual meeting spaces and collaboration tools are becoming our go-to solutions to ensure that, regardless of distance, our teams can work together closely on cases, participate in M&M rounds, share information, and support each other in real-time.
These efforts to break down geographical barriers are already showing promise, and we expect to see even more positive outcomes. By bringing our teams closer together—whether physically or virtually—we’re improving communication, reducing errors, and enhancing the care we provide. But more than that, we’re building a more cohesive, resilient organisation that’s ready to face the challenges of the future together.
Key Takeaways:
- Reorganise physical and virtual spaces to promote cross-departmental collaboration.
- Encourage spontaneous communication by bringing related teams closer together.
- Use technology to bridge the gap between geographically dispersed teams.
- Create a culture of collaboration that streamlines communication, reduces errors, and improves patient care.
At Animal Emergency Australia, we’re committed to continuous improvement. We recognise that there’s always more we can do, and we’re determined to keep pushing forward, together.
Read all about aligning teams under common goals and the key to breaking down silos in veterinary emergency care.
