Food-Service-Manual-for-Health-Care-Institutions

Figure 7.3. A Consent Agenda
Type: Clinical Staff Meeting Place: Conference Room H20
Date: January 20 Time: 1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
A. Call to order
B. Consent agenda* (materials sent Jan. 10)
a. Approval of minutes from previous meeting
b. Approval of agenda
c. Report of director’s retreat
d. Approval of policy #Q106
e. Approval of updated call list
C. Diet manual revision—Jones
D. Update on enteral formulary—Smith
E. Quality Program Indicators for Food and Drug Inactions—Brown
F. Announcements
G. Adjournment
Note: An asterisk indicates that it needs one motion and approval.
The person designated to conduct the meeting (referred to as the chairperson or chair) is
responsible for moving the meeting toward accomplishment of its goals. The chairperson should
schedule the meeting room and the meeting room setup well ahead of time, making sure that it
is large enough to accommodate the group and that the physical environment is comfortable
(Table 7.1). Any audiovisual equipment, displays, and handouts should be arranged for ahead
of time. Equipment should be checked in advance to ensure that it is in good working order.
During the meeting, the leader should follow a few simple rules of courtesy:
• Arrive early so that he or she can greet people as they arrive.
• Start the meeting on time unless several people are late, in which case the leader should
send out reminders, such as a telephone call, and then proceed with the meeting.
• Direct discussions with open-ended questions that give everyone a chance to contribute.
• Stick to the agenda and make sure that other group members do so as well. If items or
issues are raised that are not on the agenda, a “parking lot” can be created by writing on a
board or flip chart a list of items that may need further discussion outside the meeting or to be
added to the agenda in the future. The meeting can then move forward while providing a
record of issues that require future attention.
• Use consent agendas.
• Limit the discussion to one point at a time to avoid conflict.
• Avoid unnecessary interruptions (such as telephone calls) and discourage distractions
(such as shuffling of papers and whispering among attendees).
• The chair should remain neutral. If he or she has a strong opinion on a topic, the chair
should relinquish authority to provide input into the discussion.
• Ask for input from attendees regarding how the meeting went, its structure, and whether
they feel goals were met, topics were given appropriate time, and their participation was valued.
Express sincere thanks to the group’s members for their attendance and participation.
Taking time to ask members to evaluate effectiveness can enhance future meetings of the group.
• End the meeting at the appointed time by reviewing key points, assigning follow-up
tasks, and setting the date, time, and place for the next meeting.
Communication
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