I have many friends who own and operate small businesses, and it seems that all of them are struggling to keep them alive in the current recession. Some have already gone under and my best friend may be losing his business after 10 years of working 12 hour days to establish himself in a competitive industry. But for some reason, they all think healthcare is the place to be when the economy turns soft. They ask me about my business and seem surprised when I tell them that hospitals are struggling too. I guess it's just ignorance.
I work with dozens of hospitals across the country and most of them are singing the same tune. Postponed equipment upgrades, delayed projects, layoffs and a whole list of internal problems related to the current economy. My job is to work with healthcare leaders to identify and develop top talent for their organizations. Do you think my business is affected? Well sure. While people (actually the right people) are a companies number one asset, budgets for training, leadership development and recruitment planning seem to be the first to be cut. At least that's what many HR leaders tell me. Advertising budgets are reduced, training is postponed and positions are eliminated.
While I tend to agree with many of these cuts (sorry HR), I believe that budgets for organizational development (OD) should be spared at all cost. Studies show that a well-structured OD plan helps with patient satisfaction and employee engagement during tough times.
The bottom line is, you cannot make a sick patient who lost his employer paid insurance during a layoff come to your hospital. But you can work to create a positive, engaged workforce through regular training and direct interaction. Leaders, please do not separate yourself during these tough times. Get out on the floor and work with your teams at the staff level. Show them you care, ask for their ideas and listen.
Dale Hannegan
www.radsciences.com
www.mymedport.com
6 comments:
Very good insight! Every industry and market is being affected by current conditions...they are just affected differently. Healthcare organizations are not immune to the recession what so ever!!!
It is going to be quite interesting when we come out of this recession, with cutbacks on hiring and infastructure the system will be in for a major shock when the econonmy turns around and the baby boomers start hitting the medical chain for treatment-there are only 75 million coming on line starting in 2010,how fast do you think it's going to take to find healthcare workers?
Good comment Fred. But Obama will save us, right? LOL
To do nothing about reforming healthcare will invite a financial meltdown. No is as irresponsible as the out-of-control deficits of the Bush Administration and are now carrying over to the Obama tenure. I am not happy with current proposals because they do not adequately realign payment incentives, not do they address the horrific problems with quality and patient safety and the cost is staggering. David Walker, the outstanding Controller of Public Accounts forced out by the Bush Administration said it best: with the growth in the Medicare population, and the rising cost of healthcare, we are facing a financial meltdown that could destroy this country.
The only amusing part of this current debate is the appearance of all those Medicare beneficiaries at the town hall shout downs, who are screaming against government control of healthcare.
OK, so it is time for those of us in the healthcare industry to get involved. The GOP must get involved. We must all move from "No" to "yes." We must move from the "our way or the highway" (threats of reconciliation votes) to principled compromise. Without compromise -- and less screaming at one another - nothing will get done and Walker's predictions will come true.
We need to address the issues of uninsured, quality, safety and the enormous waste in the system. And budget deficits do count, former Vice President Cheney’s persistent claims to the contrary.
If you want to increase your cash flow by 20-60% (that is what has happened so far for those I have helped)what you need is a different billing company that takes you out of the loop with the Insurance carriers. I can and will get you 100% of what you BILL. In some cases clients have increased there rates because I can get them more! E-mail me and I will send you the information needed to get your practice a one page quote comparison. The least I have been able to add to someone's bottom line is $158,000- the most is $945,000. How much are you leaving on the table? Bob at PrecisionMB.net
Wow, a spammer on a blog comment. Some people have no ethics.
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