Accomplished physician Dr. Soon K. Kim has been working as a healthcare executive for more than four decades. With a background in psychiatry, he acts as the president and CEO of Aurora Behavioral Health Care, and operates several psychiatric facilities. Prior to this, Dr. Soon K. Kim served as the medical director at various hospitals and organizations.
When operating costs become too great, hospitals may have to start looking for ways to cut costs. Below are just a few things hospitals can implement to reduce expenses:
1. Standardize care: many physicians overuse tests and this can cost a lot of money. To prevent this, hospitals can implement a new computer system that follows the guidelines of professional organizations. Before requesting a test, physicians will have to adhere to these guidelines. While the system can be bypassed, it serves as a reminder to not overuse tests.
2. Redesign layouts: a complete overhaul of a hospital’s layout is costly, but hospitals can redesign how certain units are laid out by moving important supplies. It may seem simple, but physicians and nurses sometimes stockpile supplies when they are not easily accessible to save time. As a result, any unused supplies are discarded and the hospital loses money.
3. Make small changes: hospitals frequently overlook the money they could be saving by simply switching suppliers for basic necessities. Different suppliers can lower costs by several thousand a year, as can changing the products that are available in physicians’ lounges. Even subscribing to online medical journals instead of print can save hospitals thousands.
When operating costs become too great, hospitals may have to start looking for ways to cut costs. Below are just a few things hospitals can implement to reduce expenses:
1. Standardize care: many physicians overuse tests and this can cost a lot of money. To prevent this, hospitals can implement a new computer system that follows the guidelines of professional organizations. Before requesting a test, physicians will have to adhere to these guidelines. While the system can be bypassed, it serves as a reminder to not overuse tests.
2. Redesign layouts: a complete overhaul of a hospital’s layout is costly, but hospitals can redesign how certain units are laid out by moving important supplies. It may seem simple, but physicians and nurses sometimes stockpile supplies when they are not easily accessible to save time. As a result, any unused supplies are discarded and the hospital loses money.
3. Make small changes: hospitals frequently overlook the money they could be saving by simply switching suppliers for basic necessities. Different suppliers can lower costs by several thousand a year, as can changing the products that are available in physicians’ lounges. Even subscribing to online medical journals instead of print can save hospitals thousands.