Tips for running an efficient hospital

The importance of running an efficient hospital cannot be underestimated. It literally can be the difference between life and death.

Many people feel strongly about the subject of hospital efficiency. Not only because hospitals save lives, but also because it's taxpayer money which helps to fund the services. This article explores some tips for running an efficient hospital.

Low staff turnover

One of the key roles for those running a hospital is to ensure that they are using their funds effectively. Hospitals which are run cost-effectively will eventually generate the funds to add new technology and help more people.

One way to improve the financial efficiency of a hospital is by ensuring that staff turnover is kept at a minimum. A high staff turnover can be disruptive and expensive for any business, but hospitals can be hit particularly hard if they lose staff with specialist skills.

Hospitals can keep staff turnover to a minimum by ensuring that their staffs are working in a well-run, pleasurable friendly environment.

Many hospitals tend to use agencies to employ low skilled staff such as cleaners, porters and maintenance workers in order to eliminate some of the effort and costs associated with the recruitment process. Using maintenance workers selected from a trusted maintenance management company, for example, can free up plenty of funds to be used elsewhere; whilst nearly always guaranteeing an efficient service. 

Staff levels

A hospital cannot run efficiently if it is under-staffed. Not only do everyday processes take longer but it can also create an unwanted strain on medical personnel.

Well-run hospitals will make sure that it can afford to have enough staff on their books to avoid such a scenario.   However, it is also important not to be over-staffed as this can create an unnecessary strain on hospital finances. Finding the right level of staff is key to for those hoping to run an efficient hospital.

This is another reason why many hospitals are keen to utilise agency staff. Agencies staff can be employed quickly and efficiently on a short-term basis during times when hospitals are in need of staff and sent away when they are no longer needed.

Continuously assess workflow

Many hospitals make the mistake of only assessing their efficiency when times are tough. By continuously assessing the efficiency of a hospital, those running it can ensure that they never find themselves in that position. It is also important to assess how departments outside of the medical team, such as accounting, HR and IT are performing and whether cuts might be more worthwhile there than on the hospital floor.

No matter how well-run a hospital may be, there is always room for improvement. If every hospital followed these tips, it could do a lot to improve the general state of British healthcare as a whole.