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Since its inception, Circles has created advanced information and technical systems, which are supported by several search engines used by its 200 employees. "We have a team of individuals who thoroughly research information, which they provide to our personal assistants," said Janet Kraus, CEO and co-founder of Circles.

Circles serves Fortune 1000 companies like British Airways and Pepsi Cola North America, as well as nine other health care organizations.

Baylor employees can use the service as often as they like, and their calls are not monitored. So far, about 1,000 nurses have used the service since December.

"We're offering a lifestyle program that cares for the nurses as they care for others," Butts said.

Mainly, the service has been used for buying gifts or making restaurant and travel reservations, as well as purchasing tickets for the theater, opera and sports events.

In Dixon's search for a roofer, the service provided him the names of three specialists with no black marks at the Better Business Bureau, saving him hours of research. During the holidays, Dixon also used the Baylor Butler to purchase special holiday lights and decorations for his yard, which he'd been unable to find in Dallas. In addition, the service helped Dixon locate a New Zealand tour agency.

Taking care of business

Since January, more than 170 nurses at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston have used the hospital's concierge service through Circles.

Marianne Ditomassi, MSN, MBA, RN, executive director of patient care services at Massachusetts General, said the service has two benefits: It demonstrates how much the health care system values its nurses and provides employees greater flexibility, which enables them to better care for patients.

"If they [the nursing staff] feel valued, then they will be free to focus on why they're here-to care for our patients and their families," she said.

Ditomassi said the hospital offered the service to department heads last year. The service was so successful they opened it to the nursing health care staff. Massachusetts General has 14,000 employees, including 3,500 nurses.

"We are using the service as a benefit when hiring nurses," Ditomassi said. "It helps with flexibility and scheduling."

For instance, for $10 an hour, an employee can hire Circles to meet a repairman at their home, pick up their wedding dress at a local store, or drop their clothes at the cleaners.

"This gives our nurses a chance to delegate their responsibilities to others," Ditomassi said. "It's nice to get something done on someone else's time."

How has this boosted company morale?

"It shows that our organization cares for its staff," Ditomassi said. "At our hospital, we have a fairly low vacancy and turnover rate, compared to other hospitals. We spend lots of money on ways to make sure our staff has the right tools to perform their jobs."

Butts, the Baylor Health Care System recruiter, also believes in the positive effects of the concierge service.

"Our new nurses are impressed with this service," she said. "This gift of time is the type of benefit that everyone can enjoy. It lets our employees know how much we appreciate them."

Contact Pamela Stone at pamstone3@aol.com