The proposed federal minimum staffing mandate has been looming over nursing home providers for months, and everyone is trying to wrap their heads around how a one-size-fits-all rule will play out. While the intentions behind the proposed rule are collectively understood and appreciated, many providers are already feeling distressed in their ongoing attempts to hire and retain adequate staffing ratios. 

Until the details of the mandate are officially announced, providers need to focus their efforts on being resourceful and strategic to sustain profitability during these uncertain times. Working smarter not harder is no longer an option, but a necessity for survival. Organizational leadership has a responsibility to provide staff with the right tools to make an impact, and employees have a responsibility to embrace the tools they are given – or seek better alternatives that will benefit the bottom line. 

Every organization is unique and therefore an in-depth analysis is recommended to achieve operational efficiency goals, however we have compiled a list to help get you started. 

Trust in Technology

Technology will always evolve and play a necessary role in a facility’s daily operations. With so many options overwhelming the marketplace, it can be difficult trying to decide which solutions are the right fit for your organization. Electronic health record (EHR) systems offer many integrations that can eliminate multiple steps in an otherwise cumbersome process, which can save significant time and effort in the long run. A facial recognition integration, for example, is just one change that can provide multiple benefits. Not only will the employee login process be quicker, but security is improved as well as safety. 

Providers should encourage the use of technology not just internally, but externally as well. Caregivers or power of attorneys should be provided digital access to patient information, which not only provides more transparency and real-time treatment updates, but greatly reduces administrative work for clinical staff. The key to integrating technology into workflows and processes is to find the right balance that will help you share information with ease, while increasing overall efficiency, productivity and quality of care. 

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Intentional Staff Alignment

Placing the right people in the right position can make all the difference in productivity and performance. Educational degrees and credentials are obviously important in many roles, but the most successful hires are based on talent and personality. An individual’s willingness to learn and be “coached” goes a long way, and those are the star players you want to keep around. Healthcare leadership needs to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their staff, and align responsibilities accordingly. 

Keep in mind that everyone is at a different point in their career path, and individual career goals are going to vary. Some employees may find comfort and relaxation in focusing on repetitive tasks, where others will get easily bored and burned out. For employees in need of more challenge or variety, allow movement to different roles or departments as much as possible. One of the biggest benefits of working in healthcare is the variety of jobs available. Be flexible and do whatever you can to retain prized staff - because it will always be more costly and inconvenient to hire someone new. 

Reduce Your Footprint

If your facility is not utilizing every possible building space for daily operations, consolidate as much as possible to a specific floor or area. This may make it possible to share staff between departments, and will make rounds easier since there will be less ground to cover from patient to patient. If remote work is an option, take advantage of it to save physical space for other needs that could generate additional revenue.

In the spirit of cutting back, get in the habit of reviewing your vendor list and looking for ways to reduce costs. Any services that have not proved to be beneficial should be eliminated, and you will enjoy having one less contract to manage year-to-year. For solutions you are satisfied with, it is still worthwhile to shop around and compare offerings on an annual basis at minimum – and don’t be afraid to ask your current provider for a deal. Make sure you understand the range of options available and how they apply to your organization, and always try to avoid paying extra for features you do not need.

Be Respectful of Time

How many times have you sat through an hour-long meeting, only to walk away confused about why you were there in the first place? Time is valuable and there are never enough hours in the day, so be considerate about who is being asked to participate in what. If your organization conducts an all-staff mandatory morning meeting, get any company-wide announcements out of the way, then release individuals by department if additional updates do not apply. Clinical updates especially should be reserved for a select group. You will likely find that smaller meetings allow for more focus, which gets everyone back on the floor tending to their patients sooner.

Lean on Your Network

At the end of the day, we are all human and we all have our limits. When the workload constantly outweighs the amount of time on your hands, pressures can easily mount and cause more frustration and burnout for everyone. But you are not alone! Never hesitate to seek help from industry experts who can share their knowledge, experiences and outcomes. With a team of over 70 experienced and caring professionals, Richter will listen, analyze, strategize and implement customized solutions that can drive real change within your organization. To learn more about our credentials and solutions, contact us here or call us at 866.806.0799.