Healthcare Providers -- Its Time for Your Physical

I think this is a good time for a checkup, or physical as it is termed in the healthcare industry. I mean this is a good time to check the health of your site or setting. As healthcare providers, we are dedicated to curing our patients of their ills and keeping them healthy. My question is, "Do you have the same attitude about the place you work?" Is your site meeting its highest goals? If not, then it is time for a change.

I think that as a group healthcare sites are a lot like our patients. Some patients don't work hard at keeping healthy. In fact, many engage in behavior that is very detrimental to their well-being. You probably can easily image such a person. Maybe they are very overweight. Well, there are many healthcare facilities that are like that. They have many processes in which there are steps which add no value, that are a complete waste of time and effort. Then, there are patients who do a lot of the right things. They eat correctly, get a good amount of exercise, and generally have a positive outlook. There are a few healthcare facilities that are fit too.

What does a healthcare site in not so good shape look like? These sites, I believe, have as their goals just to meet their compliance standards, those set by the state, JHACO, or the FDA or some other body. As long as they are being accredited, they are satisfied. Their attitude may be, "If it isn't broken, don't change it." They are like patients who are content to just sit on the couch, watch TV, and eat whatever they like as long as they don't feel poorly.

What does a healthcare site in good shape look like? I believe that such sites are continually looking for ways to better themselves. They engage in "continuous quality improvement" activities. They are really concerned about the health and attitudes of their patients and clients. They use surveys and they question and listen. Some even use a tool called quality function deployment when designing new facilities or programs.

Besides listening to patients, they pay close attention to their employees. They actively seek ideas from the employees on how things could be done better. They want to have their employees enjoy working at their site and support its mission. The leaders of such sites actively reflect this attitude.

Further, such sites seek ways to improve the processes at their site. They cut waste and save time and improve the bottom line. Many tools for doing this can be found in quality disciplines such as Lean Healthcare and Six Sigma. You can find a very good white paper on Lean Healthcare at the www.IHI.org website.

What are the results of these positive and active approaches? Our patients are happier, fitter, and find time to do the things they want. They generally live longer with fewer health problems. Healthcare sites which are actively engaged in continuous quality improvement programs generally find that they have the time to accomplish their objectives and don't feel rushed, they have an improved bottom line, and they rarely experience adverse events. The doctors don't have to work impossible hours to accomplish all they want. They work as a team.

Let me encourage you at this time to sit down with your colleagues and leaders and assess the health of your site. If you find that you fall short of what you should be, I hope that you put in the effort to reach the best goals. After all, we expect the same from our patients, don't we?

Donald Bryant helps healthcare providers meet their challenges and writes "Making Good Healthcare Better" a free monthly ezine for healthcare providers who want to dramatically improve patient health, improve the bottom line, and make work more rewarding, guaranteed. More free articles are at his web site. Be sure to visit.

---

Benign Tumors Of The Cervix

Endocervical polypsEndocervical polyps are the most common benign neoplasms of... Read More

Natural Vitamin E Combined with Vitamin C for Treatment of Alzheimers Disease

Checklist of Treatments for Alzheimer's DiseasePart 2 of 82. Vitamin... Read More

Why Our Healthcare System Isnt Healthy

Most people are well aware that an estimated 45 million... Read More

Fifteen Ways to Fight Heel Pain

There are many different causes of heel pain, but the... Read More

Medical Malpractice Suits: Death By Medicine

A recent report has found that Americans are more frightened... Read More

Talking Money with Your Doctor: Drugs and Tests for Less

Would you buy groceries without knowing their prices? I suspect... Read More

The Importance Of Using Electric Wheelchairs To Improve Mobility

No person likes to feel housebound and dependent on others.... Read More

Zyprexa Lawsuits

Zyprexa is an antipsychotic medication that works by changing the... Read More

Buy with confidence at Online Mexican Pharmacy

The foremost benefit of buying prescription medicines and other medical... Read More

Medical Billing PDA: 21st Century Convenience for Medical Practices

Medical Billing PDAOne of the first things I notice about... Read More

?So? Which One Do I Use Doctor? Heat or Ice?

Heat has long been used to provide temporary relief of... Read More

Spin Control: What to Do When Youre Dizzy

Dizzy Dean, the great baseball pitcher of the 1930s-1940s, once... Read More

Blood Pressure Treatment: High and Low Blood Pressure Tips and Medication!

High blood pressure is on the rise worldwide. But, doctors... Read More

4 Reasons to Feel Safe Submitting an Electronic Medical Claim

Electronic Medical ClaimFor years, both practices and patients have had... Read More

Interactive Technology in Healthcare Education

Healthcare professionals are under pressure to remember, utilize and absorb... Read More

Stem Cell Breakthrough: Can You Now Make Your Own?

Over the past few years, stem cells have been getting... Read More

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors (AChEIs)for the Treatment of Moderate and

Checklist of Treatments for Alzheimer's DiseasePart 1 of 8For approximately... Read More

Generic Drugs: How They Cost You Less?

If you are wondering why the chemist has charged much... Read More

Lunesta For Insomnia: A Guide To Compare Generic Lunesta ( Eszopiclone )

We all know that there's no such thing as cheap... Read More

Lunesta FAQ: Things To Know Before You Buy Lunesta Online

When was the last time you enjoyed a good night's... Read More

Lunesta Side Effects

Before you decide to buy Lunesta, make sure you have... Read More

Food for Thought

Depression is a disorder marked by sadness, low energy, impaired... Read More

A Compelling Look at Pain Relief

If your back aches when you're loading groceries in the... Read More

Contact Lenses and Eye Glasses, How is Your Vision?

Notice friends getting contact lenses and pulling out eye glasses?"What... Read More

VIOXX Lawsuits

Vioxx is a prescription medication that has been used primarily... Read More

10 Reasons To Buy Drugs From An Online Canadian Pharmacy

1. Online Canadian pharmacies offer overall best prices on Canadian... Read More

Paxil Recall Lawyer Discusses Paxil Addiction

Paxil went on the market in 1992 at the height... Read More

Jet Lag Pills ? Panacea or Placebo Effect?

We live in an age that demands an instant cure... Read More

How To Locate An Alcohol Rehabilitation Center In California

Alcohol rehab in California refers to the centers that help... Read More

3 Facts Everyone Should Know About Stem Cells

Cord BloodCord Blood is the blood that remains in the... Read More

Modern Medicine Has Extended Life - BUT 9 Out of 10 People Say Its a Miserable Extension!

Sit down in a quiet place alone and take a... Read More

The Right Stethoscope For Your Needs!

Just about all health care providers have need of stethoscopes.... Read More

Online Pharmacies and the FDA

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is responsible for overseeing... Read More