Situation
One of the greatest opportunity areas for cost reduction is to achieve a system for engaging clinicians in care redesign focused on removing waste and non-value added resource use.
This can also be one of the most elusive benefits for systems because it absolutely depends on physician engagement and strong data analytics.
Background
Faced with a daunting cost reduction target related to the challenges of prosperity on Medicare margins, the AMC embarked on a cost reduction effort designed to reduce the waste associated with adverse outcomes, lack of standardized care processes and reducing both unnecessary and ineffective interventions.
Execution
• A standardized process and system for supporting “clinical redesign” terms was established and implemented. This included prescribed guidelines for team leadership, formation, participation, analytical support and results reporting.
• The process of analytic support and project management was designed and executed under the auspices of the AMC’s Internal Consulting Group.
• Coupled with implementation of a standardized system of high reliability training, every employee and physician was educated on the science of adverse event avoidance and their personal obligation to prevent errors in the organization.
• Physician-led teams have a charter and strict criteria for identifying projects and teams. Simply put, physician teams are not chartered simply to reduce cost. Teams are only chartered when there is a clear opportunity to improve outcomes and reduce waste. Cost reduction alone is not a sustainable way to engage physicians in the long term and would squander those important resource and engagement opportunities.
Results
• New learning opportunities for physicians with an interest in administration to build their leadership and project management skills. Plus, an environment that serves as an incubator for future physician leaders, and build a culture of physician engagement.