Changing Healthcare Management Methods

If you work in healthcare today you might have noticed that management styles are beginning to change, unless of course you work for an organization that is completely behind the times. These changing management techniques have several different names, but essentially they’re all aimed to do one thing; allow and empower the frontline staff to make decisions in the areas they work for increased clinical efficiency.

Recently an article was published by the CEO of ThedaCare explaining why the traditional “top-down” approach is getting the boot. He lists 3 popular methods that have been adopted by healthcare companies to compete in the more and more competitive climate.

These methods include;

• The "Plan-Do-Study Act" (PDSA) cycle, which is a methods that allows the different areas of the facility to hold daily huddles in order to come to a consensus of solving a problem or potential problem.

•  Model cells, which takes a more dramatic look at all of the roles and responsibilities in a certain area, and assess ways to make that area more efficient by completely restructuring the area. I could see hospitals where they might be undergoing a merger or acquisition to use this method.

•  Lean Management, which is a method that I am the most familiar with. It is a method that was adopted by the car industry, and more specifically Toyota. This method incorporates many efficiency models and is meant to change the culture to becoming more thoughtful about the resources of the facility.

Whatever the method chosen, they have been proven to produce results. Many articles, not just this one that I have sited here has shown that they can not only have an immediate impact, but have long lasting effects. 

Share your Thoughts:

As a healthcare manager have you seen the impact of any of these healthcare management changes? Is your health system using any of these methods? As a patient have you noticed a change in care with the healthcare management changes?

Thank you to Baylor University MBA Healthcare program for keeping their students relevant and informed in the ever changing world of healthcare management. 

Sources:

http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/3-steps-healthcare-management-supports-frontline-workers/2015-08-24

http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/sites/healthcarefinancenews.com/files/styles/companion_top/public/doctor-at-work-caption.gif?itok=klMQSxBT

Top Healthcare Issues in 2015

With 2015 now in full swing it’s not too late to look for what to expect in the healthcare industry. PwC’s Health Research Institute has put out a list of the top 10 trends that are expected to begin or continue this New Year. What I think is fascinating about the language of this publication is the fact that they refer to these new trends as the top ten “issues.” When I reveal the list below it might make more sense why I believe that is an interesting way of phrasing. Here is the list;

1. Do-it-yourself healthcare  

2. Making the leap from mobile app to medical device

3. Balancing privacy and convenience  

4. High-cost patients spark cost-saving innovations      

5. Putting a price on positive outcomes   

6. Open everything to everyone            

7. Getting to know the newly insured

8. Physician extenders see an expanded role in patient care  

9. Redefining health and well-being for the millennial generation  

10. Partner to win  

 

A little more context is given in the article, but as most of you can probably tell, many of the top 10 listed above should perhaps not be seen as ‘issues,’ but as opportunities to increase value for the patients. Certainly as healthcare continues to become more and more competitive there will be some challenges, but in the end the people win, and managing healthcare becomes more of a demand.

Share your Thoughts:

Do you think the list is of opportunities or issues in healthcare management? How many things on the list were you familiar with, or had heard of when referring to healthcare management? Do you believe healthcare for the patient and hospitals will improve in 2015?

A Special thank you to Baylor University MBA in Healthcare for the education to innovate the future of healthcare management.

Sources:

http://hitconsultant.net/2014/12/04/pwc-top-10-healthcare-industry-issues-to-watch-in-2015/#at_pco=smlwn-1.0&at_si=54c158728bc7c222&at_ab=per-2&at_pos=0&at_tot=1

http://work.chron.com/DM-Resize/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/251/68/77629533.jpg?w=650&h=406&keep_ratio=1&webp=1

5 Great Ways to do Healthcare!

A fascinating Harvard Business Case recently published about 5 great ways to do healthcare has caught the attention of many healthcare professionals. The ‘5 Great Ways’ (or examples) are listed in the publication as follows:

1. Transparency at University of Utah Health Care

2. Culture of shared responsibility at Mayo Clinic

3. Teamwork at Northwestern’s Integrated Pelvic Health Program

4. Addressing socioeconomic issues at Contra Costa

5. Consolidating care with the London Stroke Initiative

As may be able to tell from the titles of these 5 great examples, the author has chosen to focus on the accountability that hospital facilities and healthcare companies have to their employees and their communities. Of these 5 the one that, personally stuck out the most was probably number two. Number two from the article was featured as follows:

… “I was amazed by how well everyone worked together to give patients first-rate, coordinated care. For example, if a patient is referred to a heart failure specialist because of shortness of breath, but the real problem turns out to be lung disease, the patient will be sent to a pulmonologist – but that initial heart failure specialist continues to play to role of doctor to the patient, making sure all the loose ends are tied up during and after the consultation. It’s wonderful for the patients, but not the way most specialists in U.S. health care work.

I asked some Mayo physicians why they were willing to do this “extra work” beyond their specialty expertise. One said, ‘Look, we think we are pretty good, but we know that these patients did not come here for us as individuals. They came because we’re the Mayo Clinic. So we all know that they are not really my patients – they are our patients.’”

I am amazed that even though Mayo Clinic has one of the most sought after medical facilities, and their physicians are top of the line, they still take the time to coordinate their patients care and go the ‘extra mile’ with their healthcare management.

It is my ambition as a future healthcare manager to create some of my own “great ways to do healthcare.”

Share Your Thoughts:

Would you want to be a patient at a hospital that functioned like the Mayo Clinic? How do you think more Healthcare Management can improve their facilities and patient interaction? Are you satisfied with your healthcare experience? 

Thank you to Baylor Healthcare MBA for propelling their students to strive to be the best in healthcare management.  

Sources:

https://hbr.org/2014/11/5-examples-of-great-health-care-management

http://www.liberty.edu/media/9932/academic_programs/Master-of-Business-Administration-Healthcare-Management.jpg