Healthcare facilities are under constant pressure to improve the productivity of their workers. This was particularly true at the height of the pandemic when the number of patients overwhelmed some facilities in some parts of the country. So, we will explore a few ways that you can help your workers be more productive. Here are some tips that healthcare facilities should consider to improve productivity.
Create a productive work environment
Healthcare facilities should first create a work environment that is conducive to productivity. This means providing sufficient resources and support, as well as promoting an atmosphere that encourages teamwork and open communication.
Make sure your workers have the tools they need to do their jobs, such as reliable equipment, appropriate training, and necessary supplies (e.g., gloves). Also, make sure you schedule your workers for their shifts so that they are properly rested and prepared to work. A good rule of thumb is to schedule more senior or experienced individuals during the day while rotating less-experienced workers throughout the night.
Foster creativity and innovation
Healthcare facilities should also create an environment that encourages creativity and innovation. This requires management to think outside the box and see beyond the present state of things.
For example, if your workers are not working as quickly as they could be because they lack specific equipment or training, then you may want to explore creative alternatives. For instance, if a piece of equipment is causing a bottleneck for your workers, you may want to consider purchasing another piece of equipment or perhaps borrowing one from another department.
Think about ways that your facility can reduce costs without sacrificing quality. Although it might be necessary to sacrifice some short-term productivity gains in the interest of long-term efficiency and effectiveness, this often will not be the case.
Leverage the latest technology
Healthcare facilities should also leverage the latest technology to increase worker productivity. For example, you can use electronic medical records (EMRs) to reduce paperwork and promote more efficient charting procedures. But, the healthcare facility should work with a company offering Epic onboarding training to ensure the employees know how to use the system if it plans to use this particular electronic health records system.
You may also want to consider using mobile computing technologies such as tablet PCs or handheld scanners to improve data-entry processes and promote a paperless environment.
After implementing any of these strategies, you will want to monitor your workers’ performance to ensure that they are being more productive. Also, always keep in mind that the ultimate goal of your productivity is to improve patient care, not just increase worker output. So, don’t implement strategies that hurt the quality of patient care or interfere with teamwork and communication.
Boost productivity by managing workflow
Healthcare facilities should also boost worker productivity by managing workflow. For example, you may want to consider assigning tasks based on the experience or expertise of your workers. So, if you need to hire additional personnel, this might be an opportunity for you to maximize efficiency by placing new hires in jobs where they will not require a lot of training.
You may also want to consider implementing a flexible scheduling system that allows your workers to perform different tasks on different days or at different times. Although healthcare facilities should not sacrifice continuity and consistency of care, they can sometimes gain productivity by allowing workers to perform multiple roles within the organization.
To improve worker satisfaction and maintain morale, healthcare facilities should also organize positive reinforcement opportunities for their employees. This can include things such as organized events, contests, or special celebrations to recognize exemplary performance.
You may also want to consider implementing a mentoring program that allows workers with experience and expertise the opportunity to share their knowledge with less-experienced co-workers. If you have an experienced worker who is not as familiar with the latest technology, this might also be a great opportunity to provide training and increase productivity.
Create an environment for success
Healthcare facilities should also create an environment where workers feel like they are part of a team or family that contributes to overall organizational success. This can improve morale and boost productivity by increasing employee satisfaction.
To create a culture of success, healthcare facilities should consider holding regular meetings to allow employees to share feedback and ideas about how they can improve work processes. This will give management a clear idea of where the workers would like to see changes implemented within their department so that they can address these issues quickly and efficiently.
Healthcare facilities should also provide training opportunities for workers when they are trying to learn new skills or improve current competencies. For example, if you need a worker to start performing x-ray procedures in your facility, you should consider providing the opportunity for them to gain experience and expertise by shadowing other workers who already have these skills.
To increase the productivity of your workers, it is important to create an environment that is conducive to success. You can do this by implementing strategies focused on enhancing productivity while providing quality medical care for the patients.
