Getting Back to Normal:
Now that Covid-19’s spread has slowed (with a high price tag) it may now be time to review and make updates to required disaster plans. As a worldwide pandemic ensued the entire countries healthcare systems responded in concert. National and regional systems as well as smaller private and non-profit groups have all had one common goal. Fighting the spread to flatten the transmission of the disease.
During the event both strengths and weaknesses were exposed. Supply chain, equipment provider and vendor issues were discovered. Additional staffing, PPE requirements and temporary measures were enacted. Beds, ventilators and drugs were in short supply. Facilities were modified and built as emergency rooms turned into disease assessment check points. At the same time wellness patient visits were all cancelled and visitors not allowed at clinics, emergency rooms or in patient rooms unless very special circumstances existed. Healthcare workers were sickened at high rates with long hours, changing guidelines and early undetected exposure. Some hospitals experienced zero deaths while others had dozens of deaths daily.
Patient care may have changed forever. The government has committed to reimbursement for many Covid related tests and treatments. Health insurance and providers have made various commitments of how the will pay and charge. Drug manufacturers have also worked to provide discounted meds. Testing labs expedited test kits and analytical equipment. CDC, FDA and the Joint Commission have provided new guidance tools, relaxed protocols and suspended surveys while expediting new testing and treatments.
Process Improvement:
So many new guidelines and temporary measurements were enacted healthcare has been forever impacted. It may be an opportune time to review any number of departments to understand how personnel, patients and process were impacted by Covid. As we begin to take our foot off the gas pedal we can begin to coast again back into normal operations. Although getting back to normal may take time the lessons learned may influence a new normal.
Root Cause Analysis Approach:
Analyzing temporary response measures and evaluating what worked and what didn’t is key. We know the root causal factors, but it is time to determine the lines of investigation in order to reach the corrective actions and lessons learned. No matter how small or insignificant any lesson can help modify or create new operating procedures. It is from this root cause analysis of temporary operations and measures that improvements can be made.
Updating Disaster Plans:
Security, Patient Care, Infection Control, Supply Chain, Staffing and Life Safety can be analyzed by department. Consulting can facilitate by on the ground problem identification. While it is fresh in our minds as your third party consultant we act as a new set of eyes to help identify then diagnose problems and gather solutions.
We help you evaluate what occurred during the Covid emergency initiative for example- What was the process (step logic) used for handling patients from admission to release? How did this new process versus the prior process impact patient care? How did this event all impact hospital departments? What resources were in short supply and which part of the process was hindered? What means and measures could be changed or modified to improve process?
The Joint Commission will be looking for process improvements through the challenges faced and lessons learned. We can assist in areas of disaster planning. ER Healthcare can help. Toll free 877-378-4183. Email us at info@er-emergency.com or view our website at ER-Healthcare.com anytime 24/7/365.
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