Meeting the productivity standards in healthcare is a must, but exceeding them is a desired outcome for any facility. This can benefit both the hospital and the patients themselves – a more efficient clinic means quicker reaction, faster diagnosis, and enhanced prevention, thus resulting in better treatment. In this article, we will focus on the ways to improve work performance in healthcare. Do you feel that you need this knowledge? Then read on!
How to measure productivity in healthcare?
Achieving high productivity in healthcare is one of the ways how you can improve patient experience. But, in order to do so, you have to know how efficient your clinic is in the first place.
There are quite a few metrics through which you can measure how productive your healthcare employees are. Some of them are directly related to efficiency, other ones can be affected by low or high productivity, yet it is not the sole factor determining them. So, what should you pay close attention to?
- Patient visit lengths – Surely, not every patient can be treated as quickly as another. But, if the average time is too long, this means that there are processes that simply fail. The same is true the other way around – if the patient flow is smooth and quick, it means that the facility’s productivity is excellent.
- Patient wait times – Another metric that can be used is the wait time. The 2018 Vitals study stated that the average waiting time for primary care physicians is 18 minutes. Yet, it gets longer when it comes to the specialists. If your hospital is above this number, this means that there must be some sort of inefficiency.
- Patient satisfaction and retention rates – While these might depend on various other factors, for instance the quality of treatment, scoring low or high on this metric might also speak volumes about the productivity.
Adopting electronic health record (EHR) systems can provide data-driven insights into performance metrics. These systems not only streamline documentation but also highlight potential inefficiencies, enabling managers to implement evidence-based strategies to boost productivity in healthcare.
What are the ways to improve work performance in healthcare?
Knowing how to measure productivity in healthcare, let’s focus on how to improve it. The solutions will often vary depending on what bottlenecks appeared in your facility. Here are some of our ideas.
Introduce smart devices
Smart bands, trackers or even motion sensors can do magic. Often, qualified nurses waste time looking for equipment or searching for a patient. Yet, if you introduce IoT devices, they will know exactly where the person or utensil is. Technology is the future of healthcare, and this is the example of that!
Improve your staff’s wellbeing
An exhausted, demotivated employee will never be fully productive. Thus, if you wish to improve the work performance of your healthcare facility, you need to ensure that your staff is in good condition – both physically and mentally.
One of the most effective ways to improve work performance in healthcare is by implementing flexible schedules and offering stress-management programs. Studies show that healthcare workers often face burnout due to demanding schedules. Providing access to wellness programs and mental health support can significantly enhance their morale and productivity. Ensuring that staff have access to regular training sessions can also help improve performance. These sessions can familiarize them with the latest practices and technologies, aligning their efforts with current productivity standards in healthcare.
Enhance communication
Effective communication between healthcare professionals is critical. The better the physicians, nurses, and medical scribes exchange information, the faster they can work. Thus, you should not underestimate its importance.
Implementing tools like centralized communication platforms can streamline workflows and reduce misunderstandings, which directly impacts productivity. These platforms allow for real-time updates on patient care, ensuring everyone is on the same page. This is one of the most impactful ways to improve productivity in a healthcare workplace, as seamless communication can eliminate unnecessary delays.
Key takeaways
Improving work performance in healthcare may save lives – literally. A more productive hospital has lower waiting times, thus being able to treat patients faster. And, as we know, time is crucial in critical cases. The ways to improve productivity in a healthcare-related workplace include: using new technologies, taking care of staff’s wellbeing, and embracing effective communication. Only through them can you build the most efficient hospital or clinic.
You now know how mental and physical health is crucial for the productivity. But, do you know how to prevent physician burnout? If not, read our article: What Is Physician Burnout and How to Deal with It?
