The hospital is a busy and often hectic location. There are some experts who have made the argument that the ability to improve productivity in a high-touch industry, such as health care, is impossible, including in the hiring department, For instance this service was designed to find an open position (med students only) so it can be fill fast enough. However, there are some tips that may help. Keep reading to learn about a few strategies that may be effective in improving a hospital’s overall productivity. It also helps to hire qualified professionals for hospital work such as a diagnostic radiology job.
- Manage and Monitor the Final 10 Feet in the Supply Chain
According to a recent study, nurses send approximately seven percent of their time looking for supplies, such as nutritional supplements, commodes, infusion pumps, and medications. One way to help reduce the amount of time looking for lost items is by implementing the use of quality Med Carts. Having well-stocked and properly organized carts nearby, nurses and other healthcare professionals can eliminate some of the time they typically spend looking for the items they need.
- Electronically Double-Check Medications
A human double-check must be done when administering any type of high-risk medication, including narcotics or insulin. These double checks can take a lot of time. Also, this protocol isn’t always followed. Rather than handling this manually, it is a good idea to make the double checks electronic. This will prevent distractions from others and minimize mistakes.
- Eliminate False Alarms
If there is a false alarm, it imposes a risk to the safety of patients and staff, while reducing the productivity of staff members. On average, a nurse has to answer a false alarm every 45 seconds or more from several different devices that are used for patient care. These devices weren’t designed or created to achieve a common goal. If they had been, they would not distract nurses from their core duties, and instead, would help to optimize care.
- Minimize the Need for Human Documentation
Many hospital workers spend up to half their day or several hours after work documenting in the EMR, leading to physician burnout and associated risks such as reduced productivity and safety issues. Some doctors and healthcare workers have addressed this by hiring third-party service providers, like Action Group Staffing, to handle documentation tasks. This can be a viable solution for hospital staff to alleviate these burdens.Reduce Human Labor Costs
Administrative costs, including submitting and processing claims, account for approximately 25 percent of a hospital’s total spending. Employers and insurers may also face significant costs due to varied processes and platforms for claim submission. Steps such as prior authorization, payment integrity, and utilization management can be disjointed, leading to multiple requests for the same data. Additionally, communication via fax requires manual data entry into the database.By following the tips and information provided, hospital executives can foster an environment of high productivity, efficiency, and superior patient care. Implementing these strategies will also help reduce hospital costs and improve the bottom line, leading to a more efficient and cost-effective operation. Being well-informed and proactive is key to achieving these desired outcomes.
