If you’re like most healthcare providers, you’re already super busy. Time remains a precious commodity as you seek to treat patients efficiently without compromising outcomes or quality of care.
So how do you effectively combat time constraints coming from increased documentation, ever-changing regulation requirements and the estimated 17 million new patients the Affordable Care Act added to the U.S. healthcare system?
No one is saying it’s easy, but consider starting with these five time management tips for healthcare providers:
1. Establish Goals
When things get busy, the last thing you want to do is run around just ‘putting out fires.’ Instead, take the time to set goals and create a sense of purpose for your workweek. Set objectives for 30, 60, and 90 days. Write them down and discuss them with your supervisor or staff to gain additional input. Then schedule a few moments at the beginning and end of each week to review your goals, action items, and progress.
2. Prioritize Your Workday
Although you cannot always start your workday at full speed, time spent just drinking coffee, wandering the halls, or checking Facebook can be time wasted. Write out your specific tasks and when you need to complete them each day. Post this list a prominent location. Check it as soon as you get to work and throughout the day so you can easily update tasks as needed.
You’d be surprised how much you can complete when you keep yourself accountable to a to-do list.
3. Delegate When Possible
Don’t assume you can do it all on your own. If you have extra help available, use it. Assign some of your tasks, as appropriate, to medical assistants, administrative staff, interns, and volunteers. Take advantage of their help.
Check out 12 Unconventional Ways to Increase Your Staff’s Productivity
4. Know When to Say ‘No’
Your colleagues can see you’re busy, but that often doesn’t stop them from asking you to do more. Be realistic about your workload. Only agree to take on projects or patients when you have the time. Remember if you end up overwhelmed, no one benefits. Carefully consider requests and know when to turn someone down to avoid increased stress and decreased productivity.
Use these 4 Tips for Designing a More Productive Practice to help alleviate the workload at your practice.
Did you know that one hour of wasted time each day could result in 152 days lost during your career?
5. Take Advantage of Technology
Electronic health record systems can help you stay better organized throughout your workday. Ideally, when your practice is online and organized, you and your patients save time. The less time you spend juggling administrative paperwork and phone calls, the more time you can focus on patient care.
An effective EHR system can automate clinical documentation, enable electronic prescribing and reduce test duplication, according to the U.S. Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. ONC cites a national survey of doctors that reveals:
* 79% of providers report that their practice functions more efficiently with an EHR
* 75% receive lab results faster
* 68% of providers see their EHR as an asset with recruiting physicians
Modern practice management systems can help you save time and make the most of your day.
John Taylor contributed to this post.
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