Delivering Quality Care Relies on Collaboration between Clinical and Operational Leaders

Staffing shortages, increasing demand and changing regulations have increased the pressure on post-acute care organizations to focus on the most effective use of resources. It is all part of a greater effort to provide comprehensive treatment that appropriately fits in with the other pieces on the continuum of care—in other words, an integrated health care system. But, what if your organization isn’t internally integrated for efficient use of resources?

Collaboration Is Key
With all of the changes impacting post-acute care providers, collaboration is vital to ensure strong operational, financial and clinical performance. Essentially, every department of the organization must work together, including IT and human resources, suggests Pathway Health President and Chief Operating Officer Peter Schuna. Operational and financial leaders must understand the level of support and resources the clinical staff needs to succeed.

Providing people-centered outcomes, in a cost-effective service delivery environment, relies on collaboration between leaders, who are focused on:

• Managing time effectively — Identify who should be included from the beginning of a key initiative, to identify actions, evaluate priorities and assign responsibilities. This will help to minimize costly rework and unintended consequences of actions.

• Evaluating financial resources — The world post-acute providers live in is not one of unlimited time or unlimited budgets. Identify benefits and costs (measurable and missed opportunities), when determining the prioritization of quality driven goals.

• Ensuring the right people are in the right roles, and focused on the right things — ‘Driving quality outcomes for success’ may appear to be a simple notion. However, this aspect is what separates many leading organizations from the rest. To be a best-in-class provider, clinical and operational leaders regularly evaluate their people, processes and results, to ensure the intended outcome remains in sight.

Pathway Health’s Chief Networking Officer Donna Webb encourages operational leaders to support members of the clinical team taking a seat at the planning table, especially when identifying quality goals, setting priorities, assigning deliverables and evaluating accomplishments. Now, more than ever, the clinical team plays a vital role in how an organization achieves quality outcomes, while managing costs, improving operational performance and stabilizing cash flow.

Operational + Clinical Integration = Quality Outcomes
Leading organizations think as one team—a combination of people, processes and resources— working together to achieve its goals.

• Adjust your service plan to meet changing needs in the market. This includes reviewing your financial, operational and clinical strategic plan, and redesigning internal processes to meet the challenges of the dynamic post-acute environment.

• Prioritize information management upgrades, including an optimized electronic health records system for more accurate billing and improved reporting on patient care. This is especially important as health care transitions to ICD-10, and increases the focus on hospital readmissions.

• Implement performance monitoring for every position. This includes setting common standards across all departments, evaluating the progress of individuals and creating promotion opportunities for those who are excelling in their responsibilities.

• Enhance communication pathways across operational and clinical teams. The flow of information starts with leaders from both sides promoting the same, united organizational culture.

• Supply the right resources at every staff level. This includes seeking out knowledgeable partners, like Pathway Health, who can support your overall goals by providing expert advice, training, continuing education and interim management services.

The Pathway Health team is ready to work together, so your entire organization functions at a higher level, collectively. Call 877.777.5463 to pave a path with our experts.

 

Resources:

Contino, Diana S. “Leadership Competencies: Knowledge, Skills, and Aptitudes Nurses Need to Lead Organizations Effectively.” Critical Care Nurse.

Suter, Esther et al. “Ten Key Principles for Successful Health Systems Integration.” PMC. Dec. 20, 2010.