Hospitals and health systems have stepped up efforts to report their organizations’ actions, programs, and results to their various constituencies. The areas of interest include quality performance, pricing, community benefit, and more. Some information reported is mandated by specific constituencies (for example, the federal government or by health insurers), but much is voluntarily offered by organizations.

Some hospitals and health systems have a formal, written communications plan that outlines what information is distributed and the recipients of that information. Others get information to their stakeholders without necessarily having a formal communications plan.

This research poll, conducted in January 2008, shows responses to questions about current and planned efforts to communicate with key stakeholders, and the board’s role in those efforts; 105 Governance Institute member CEOs responded (21% of those who received a survey).