tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post2838648879729081005..comments2024-03-26T00:25:34.026-04:00Comments on Not Running a Hospital: Layoffs in Central MassachusettsPaul Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065446378970179507noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-37860907224476009592012-03-26T14:30:43.695-04:002012-03-26T14:30:43.695-04:00In the airport this morning I spoke to a nurse fro...In the airport this morning I spoke to a nurse from a southwest hospital system who is currently downsizing their workforce. She said something that really resonated with me. "I know they have to do layoffs but what is the plan to still do the work that has to be done?". It is a great question. The layoffs help the immediate fiscal need but how do these health systems help the employees deal with the changes in the work force? I agree with Mark that you must look at the work, remove waste and improve porcess long before you institute the work force reduction. The employees already feel afraid with the changes but to compound it with chaos will lead to decreased staff satisfaction and the opportunity for errors that can have an even greater impact on their bottom line.Suzi Crowehttp://www.stanleyhealthcare.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-15774896731409989372012-03-21T09:35:56.357-04:002012-03-21T09:35:56.357-04:00As an outside observer it is extremely frustrating...As an outside observer it is extremely frustrating to see health care costs rise year after year, decade after decade and take an ever increasing share of GDP. And we don't even get good outcome results compared to other rich countries.<br /><br />And the best these managers seem to be able to do by and large is cut nurses. It seems almost criminal how poorly we have managed our health care system in the USA. Granted lots of people are doing heroic work. The system is still performing hideously and those making excuses to retain the existing system seem to continue to be leading (decades after we should have stopped tolerating this outdated thinking).John Hunterhttp://management.curiouscatblog.net/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-45561197417319195522012-03-21T09:09:33.723-04:002012-03-21T09:09:33.723-04:00Many hospitals out there are really fearful of the...Many hospitals out there are really fearful of the reduce reimbursements and expected budget shortfalls.<br /><br />Some are resorting to simple cost cutting - meaning layoffs (since labor is about 6o-70% of a hospital's cost base).<br /><br />Others are using Lean and other methods to improve the system. Improving quality, safety, patient flow, etc. -- that leads to better financial performance as an end result. Increasing patient flow, to make better use of existing space, instead of doing construction is another way hospitals are using Lean to save money the "right way."<br /><br />It will be interesting to see which path is more successful over the next few years.Mark Grabanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07953086531083611251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-58594511861760929562012-02-05T07:06:41.829-05:002012-02-05T07:06:41.829-05:00Yes, making process improvement academically inter...Yes, making process improvement academically interesting and important is an essential component to doctor engagement in an academic medical center. It would help if medical schools viewed it as such.Paul Levyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17065446378970179507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-57324268692445336642012-02-05T03:49:36.760-05:002012-02-05T03:49:36.760-05:00I wonder if there is an AMC anywhere in the countr...I wonder if there is an AMC anywhere in the country that has even considered valuing excellent teaching ability, patient care and medical outcomes as highly as research and publishing in determining the potential for both compensation and academic advancement among doctors employed by AMC’s. In theory, there is no reason why two equally rewarding career paths couldn’t exist in parallel. The culture of research and publish or perish contributes enormously to unsustainable cost growth at both AMC’s and universities. Maybe it’s time for some fresh thinking here.Barry Carolnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-8072332935516751972012-02-04T14:07:56.978-05:002012-02-04T14:07:56.978-05:00I think your point about distinguishing between st...I think your point about distinguishing between strategy and tactics is a critical one. The two ventures cited, laboratory outreach and home health/hospice, are both examples of what I call the 'bandwagon phenomenon' on the part of hospital administrations desperately seeking to maintain the status quo. One or another such venture becomes 'de rigueur' (or 'du jour' more accurately), often based on ephemerally favorable reimbursements, and practically every hospital in the country jumps on it, ignoring long term signals such as the years-long progress of commoditization of laboratory tests - which make such an end result predictable. <br />It's time for administrators to realize they are in the middle of Christensen's disruptive innovation period and to look for truly transformative steps as you describe, not just the latest way to make a temporary quick buck.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com