Clinics are usually a buzz of activity, and from a casual observer lens, events look seamless. However, this image may not be the case in all clinics as many agonize over resource waste. Frequent wastes in clinics are expired medicines, vaccines, materials, etc. As much as you cannot avoid medical waste in a clinic, there are ways to plan and reduce it.
Create a Budget
Budgets are vital planning tools in any organization. Having a budget helps pinpoint areas of under and over procurement of resources. When the inventory is low, there is time wasted while waiting to procure the next batch. When the materials are in excess, they may expire before usage, still leading to waste.
You want to achieve a balance in your clinic by having just enough through budgeting. The budgets help you avoid unnecessary expenditures and are a tracking tool for inventory. A clinic may be a small establishment, but it is still necessary to monitor expenses and revenue for sustainability. Clinic managers should maintain simple but distinct budgets, e.g., classifying medical supplies in subclasses, for greater detail.
Track Inventory
Tracking inventory keeps tabs on all materials like vaccines, medication, etc. Keeping a trail is critical because it not only monitors usage but also helps to establish supply orders. Through tracking, you can estimate when inventory is likely to diminish and replenish the stock.
Restocking does not have to happen only when supplies run out. You decide when to replenish, based on the time it takes to make delivery, and have extras of things you typically run out of. In a medical facility, sound inventory management is critical as it can save a life. You do not want to have excess inventory leading to waste, but you also do not want to lose a patient’s life because you suddenly run out of emergency medication.
Utilize Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
Electronic Medical Records (EMR) are automated health institution records. EMR conversion refers to updating a medical institution’s electronic data. The change may involve migrating an institution from a completely manual process or updating an existing medical records system to a higher version.
In a clinic that is heavy on manual processes, wastes are more likely to occur. In a manual process, you should seek to have as many automated processes as possible in your clinic. Digitally tracking all clinical procedures helps the ordering process, and you see what patients need in a given period. It also makes it easier for staff to place orders and carry out daily routines.
A clinic must adopt a user-friendly system update that is easily adaptable to the institution’s processes. Look into an EMR conversion plan, which offers an eight-step process of clinical data conversion for prospective users of the EMR. There is also a provision of planning and implementation suggestions to ease the conversion process.
Rethink Services
Achieving a waste-free clinic environment means you have to constantly monitor service provision, identify those prone to waste and replace them with more efficient ways. In such change-overs, always stay cognizant of the patient’s needs. Some services are essential and cannot be altered.
Patients are the customers in a clinic, and for any service institution, listening to the voice of the customer supersedes all other objectives. A streamlined process in a clinic will result in increased efficiency and consequently faster service to patients. To achieve an efficient system, do away with non-essential procedures resulting in administrative, operational, or clinical wastes.
Offer Telehealth
Telehealth services involve offering health services to patients through remote access. The clinic uses computers, mobile phones, and other electronic devices in place of physical visits to the establishment. This trend is gaining traction in many health institutions seeking to offer convenience to patients.
Telehealth services reduce the waste of time spent treating those with higher severity ailments. The remote service access is beneficial for the patient and also the clinic. Patients who live in remote areas can access health services without the inconvenience of travel. The clinics also reduce costs of care for patients and provide better quality interactions and attention for patients.
Avoid waste at all Costs
The bottom line is to constantly be on the lookout for clinical wastes and nip them on the bud. Prevention is always better than cure. New issues crop up now and then, so keep close monitoring of your clinic to identify and mitigate the waste source.