Airtcle

04.12.2023

GRASP article

Summary:

The importance of developing a strong work culture in Nursing Home cannot be overstated. A positive work environment promotes collaboration and teamwork, leading to improved patient care and outcomes. It also fosters employee engagement and satisfaction, resulting in increased productivity and reduced turnover rates.

Article: Transforming Nursing Home Culture for a Promising Future

In recent times, the owners of Nursing Homes (NH) in India have found themselves grappling with an array of challenges that range from increased legal compliance and demanding patients to a scarcity of qualified staff and aging infrastructure. Adding to the complexity is the shifting tide of patients towards corporate hospitals. The amalgamation of staff from various hospitals, each bringing their unique work culture and experience, poses a significant challenge for NH owners. The crux of their struggle lies in unifying this diverse workforce to cultivate a consistent and effective organizational culture.

The Need for Cultural Transformation:

A key indicator of the necessity for a change in organizational culture is the existence of a gap between the perceived and actual implementation of practices. Take, for instance, a scenario where a doctor emphasizes the importance of obtaining proper consent, but the staff may lack awareness of the correct procedures. This discrepancy highlights the pressing need for a tailored work culture specific to the nursing home.

Strategies for Introducing an Open Work Culture:

1.   Define Dynamic Goals:

The foundational step towards cultivating a unified work culture involves setting clear and dynamic goals. These goals should span various dimensions such as performance excellence, legal compliance, patient safety, employee satisfaction, process standardization, and financial sustainability. An incremental approach is recommended, starting with achievable goals and progressively elevating the standards. For instance, initial patient safety goals could include achieving zero falls, ensuring proper patient identification, and safe medication administration. As these milestones are accomplished, goals can evolve to address more complex issues like reducing hospital stay, reduction in VAP or readmissions.

2.   Listen and Learn:

An invaluable tool for improvement is feedback, and in contemporary times, emphasis is shifting towards overall experience. Some hospitals take innovative approaches, like admitting foster patients to gather first-hand experiences. Another strategy involves calling helplines during unconventional hours to observe and evaluate response times. By actively listening to employees and patients, nursing home owners gain insights into areas that require improvement.

3.   Regular Meetings for Continuous Improvement:

Monthly meetings serve as a platform for discussing achievements, identifying areas for improvement, suggesting training programs, and acknowledging shortfalls. These meetings can also be used to celebrate employee birthdays and anniversaries, fostering a positive and supportive atmosphere. To ensure maximum participation, it is advisable to circulate the meeting agenda at least two days in advance.

4.   Positive Hiring Practices:

The workforce plays a pivotal role in shaping organizational culture. Therefore, it is imperative to hire individuals with a positive mind-set. Positive minds contribute to positive outcomes, fostering a healthy work environment. It is crucial to distinguish between genuine positivity and mere flattery, ensuring a genuine and conducive work atmosphere.

5.   Standardize Processes and Induction Programs:

To establish consistency in procedures, it is essential to freeze forms, formats, registers, and key processes in consultation with staff. A comprehensive and structured induction program for new employees ensures that they are well-versed in the correct procedures from the outset.

6.   Embrace Technological Advancements:

In the modern healthcare landscape, patients often seek information from various social media platforms and AI-driven services like Chat GPT or Google. Rather than resisting this trend, nursing homes should embrace it with an open mind. Explaining patient problems calmly and informatively, without displaying hostility, enhances the patient experience.

7.   Corporate Facilities for Insurance Patients:

With the expectation of corporate facilities, nursing homes can bridge the gap in knowledge and infrastructure using technology. Apps like Swiggy, Denzo, and Zomato can be effectively utilized to provide services at a level comparable to corporate hospitals. This requires thinking outside the box and adopting an innovative and proactive approach.

8.   Enhancing Patient Safety through Clear Communication:

Communication is pivotal in healthcare, and to enhance patient safety, it is crucial that doctors communicate effectively with nursing staff. This involves writing legibly, specifying administration routes, explaining likely reactions, and providing countermeasures. Clear instructions, especially regarding test doses, are imperative. It is essential to recognize that staff may not always interpret handwriting or intentions accurately.

9.   Embracing the Future:

The evolving landscape of healthcare, marked by the influence of Artificial Intelligence products/services, the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), availability of low-cost wearable devices, telemedicine, and home care, offers strategic opportunities for nursing homes. By devising strategic plans, nursing homes can not only survive but thrive as the preferred choice of patients.

The Final Advice:

In conclusion, the success of cultural transformation hinges on the actions of leadership. Staff tends to follow actions more than words, making it imperative for leaders to be role models. The future of nursing homes is undeniably promising, provided the leadership embraces change, fosters a positive work environment, and remains committed to continuous improvement. The onus is on the nursing home owners to shape a future where nursing homes not only stay relevant but flourish in the evolving healthcare landscape.

“Midas Touch”, a Coffee Table Book was launched on 19th Nov. 23 at The Bombay Presidency Golf Club by Padmashree Shri Kumar Ketkar along with Dignitaries Dr. Lalit Kapoor, Dr. Ketan Parikh, Dr Madhuri and Dr. Anant Gore and Mr. Pralhad Pai of Jeevan Vidya Mission (son of Late Shri Vaman rao Pai).

The book written by Mrs. Shubhanjali Gadgil chronicles her journey with her husband Mr. Prakash Gadgil in their quest to make Accreditation of Health facilities, an established norm. Dr. Snehlata Deshmukh, Dr. Lalit Kapoor and Shri Kumar Ketkar have given the Foreword on the Landscape of Quality Healthcare presented

The book gives in detail the Concept, Challenges and the milestones achieved It is a sort of “Checklist Manifesto” to be monitored by not only the Doctors and staff but also the patients seeking services.

The Concept entitled “Accreditation” precisely addresses the issues involving the Patients, Doctors and Hospital Management.

The journey undertaken two decades ago when no Standards were available for Quality of Healthcare services led to National Standards NABH, which has become a Nation- wide movement.

The era when Standardization was not heard or known, has now became a common term in the 21st century and all Doctors have thought of getting their facility accredited.

An attempt and ways to bring about improvement is put forth.

A touch to help Hospitals heal thyself with a Patient centric approach has resulted in Transformation of Healthcare Services. A Mission with Passion has given Safety to Patients, Doctors and all Healthcare workers.

Comments by Readers present at the Launch:

By Physiotherapist, Milka Vivek

A must read for every Medical Professional who genuinely feels proud of being in this field. The book portrays the efforts put by the writer and her husband to foray in the field of Accreditation of healthcare services reassuring any ordinary person seeking medical help.

By Shobha Chawda, a Chemist with a Pharmaceutical.

“Midas Touch” authored by Shubhanjali Gadgil is a fascinating Coffee Table Book in the field of Healthcare. The contents take you through the tough, long and enlightening journey of the couple. It is the success story of bringing Transformation in the Quality of health services. A must read book for all associated in the field.

                                                                                                 By   FEQH