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October 7, 2022
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Streamlining Operations in a Healthcare System
Business Problem
A large healthcare client was facing challenges with scheduling medical professionals, managing staff burnout, and optimizing patient care delivery. The client relied on manual and paper-based scheduling processes which led to inefficient scheduling of medical professionals, resulting in understaffing or overstaffing during different shifts. There was difficulty in accommodating employee preferences and skillsets when creating schedules, increased staff burnout due to long hours and inflexible schedules and delays in patient care delivery due to understaffing or lack of availability of specialized personnel.
Solutions
The team worked closely with the client’s leadership and staff to understand their specific needs and challenges. After analysing the pain points, the solutions were recommended as below:
Implementing a Workforce Management System : We helped the client select and implement a workforce management system specifically designed for the healthcare industry. This system offered features like:
- Skill-based scheduling to ensure the availability of appropriate medical professionals for different patient needs.
- Automated fatigue management alerts to prevent staff burnout and ensure patient safety.
- Mobile app access for staff to easily view schedules, swap shifts, and communicate with colleagues.
Workforce Planning and Forecasting: We collaborated with the client to develop data-driven workforce planning models that considered factors like patient volume, appointment types, and staff skillsets. This allowed for more accurate forecasting and scheduling.
Results
Within six months of implementing the new system, the client saw positive outcomes:
- Reduction in Scheduling Errors: The integration of advanced automation and skill-based scheduling led to a 25% decrease in scheduling conflicts and issues of understaffing.
- Decrease in Staff Burnout: The implementation of flexible scheduling options along with fatigue management tools resulted in a 11% reduction in staff burnout, promoting a healthier and more satisfied workforce.
- Improvement in Patient Wait Times: Enhanced staffing efficiency contributed to a 5% improvement in the availability of medical professionals, reducing patient wait times effectively.