
5 Simple Ways to Reach the New Throughput
Contributor

Mark Baker

To create a higher level of care, it not only takes a change in staff practice but a change in hospital culture.
Mark Baker, Director of Cardiovascular Services at Platte Valley Medical Center in Brighton, Colorado, explains: “Patients don’t want to feel like they’re on an assembly line, so how can we take a cold, number-based process and make it personal?”
The problems associated with throughput inspired Baker to observe and implement different strategies to not only speed up the process, but make it more well-rounded.
Learn more about how to drive cardiovascular (CV) service line throughput beyond the finish line, using Mark Baker’s 5 simple strategies.
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A day-in-the-life scenario:
- Rotate through staff members
- Have 1 staff member play themselves and 1 play a patient
- Make each scenario realistic
- Run through each scenario from beginning to end
- Bring scenario ideas for the group, patients, and yourself
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Verb
Definition: a common practice that involves giving a report in the same manner every time, creating muscle memory.
By having a script, staff members can simply plug in the varying information based on the patient. In return, giving information consistently allows the patient to feel comfortable by knowing what to expect.
Scripting can improve:
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Efficiency |
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Patient satisfaction |
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Quality care |

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Encourage team members to research new technology and solutions. Vendors are an excellent resource to help staff members learn about innovative technologies that can make the throughput process more efficient and effective. If a new technology is implemented, vendors can also display how to best utilize it in the CV service line. |

Benefits of leveraging EMR for throughput:
ConclusionImproving throughput aims to lower complications, increase patient satisfaction, and create less risk. Baker supposes, “Instead of taking traditional points of view, we should be trying to think outside the box.” By following these 5 simple steps, throughput in the CV service line can become more effective, sustainable, and successful for the foreseeable future. |