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Steering Away from Outsourcing
Couriers saved more than $145,000 in five months after they reconfigured routes, purchased better software to track pickups and deliveries and equipped drivers with smartphones.
- Reducing our reliance on outside couriers and investing in technology improves affordability and timely pick-up and delivery of packages .
- Changing routes and bringing contracted routes in house
Needle-Stick Injuries Drop to 0
Surgery team creates safe way to pass sharps to each other and reinforces messaging with fliers.
- Reducing needle-stick injuries protects our employees and ensures they are ready and able to care for our members.
- Creating a “Pass Free Zone” to discourage team members from directly handing needles and other sharp objects to each other
Corralling Cancer with Coughs and Sneezes
Allergy team uses script and reminders to provide timely health screenings to patients.
- Identifying health risks and signs of disease as early as possible helps us deliver on Kaiser Permanente’s Total Health promise.
- Collaborating and sharing data to identify missed opportunities to provide health screenings
Whiteboard Helps Rehab Communications
Information-sharing improved among different groups of the care giving staff.
- Nurses, physical therapists, patients and family members all have the same information about the case.
- Using a whiteboard in patient rooms to record physical therapy sessions
Paying a Fair Share for Orthotic Supplies
The team began to properly charge members for orthotic supplies and increased revenue.
- Increased revenue helps us continue to provide high-quality care to our members.
- Identifying loss of revenue and creating new plan
Taking a Closer Look
A Vision Essentials Optical Center team figured out ways to reduce the prescription glasses redo rate.
- Reducing the redo rate for prescription glasses benefits employees and patients in terms of money and time.
- Coaching employees on new HealthConnect protocols and collaborating with other teams
Let’s Talk About Copayments
Copay collection went up after this Admitting team learned about resources available to member who have trouble paying their bills.
- Patient copayments are one of several sources of revenue that affect Kaiser Permanente's bottom line and enable us to provide high-quality health care and pay workers’ wages.
- Educating and training staff about financial help available to members
Saving Money One Needle at a Time
Phlebotomists saved money after seeing that standard needles can be just as effective as a butterfly needles and costs less.
- Keeping costs down helps keep Kaiser Permanente affordable for members and patients
- Phlebotomists self-monitoring butterfly needle usage
Driving for More Efficient Routes
Morale among courier drivers improved when they started collaborating effectively to come up with more efficient routes.
- Teams members need to communicate well with each other in order to solve problems, improve performance and have a great workplace.
- Diversify communication methods
Strategic Scheduling of Anesthesia
Team increased percentage of anesthesia cases on days physicians are scheduled and saved $113,000 in 10 months.
- Optimizing the time and unique skills of doctors and nurses keeps KP affordable
- UBT increased percent of anesthesia cases on days contract physicians were scheduled — four days a week instead of five.
Staff Buddies Up to Inform Patients
Positive patient responses for staff communications increased 17 percent for the department in three months.
- Patients express appreciation when informed about wait times and delays, which shows respect for their time and eases anxiety.
- Schedulers and receptionists from two clinics paired up for one-hour shifts during predictably busy times to keep patients informed about wait times.
Speedy Slides Boost Service
On-time distribution of pathology slides increased 26 percent in two years, and People Pulse Work Unit Index score improved 30 percent.
- Physicians rely on analysis of the slides to diagnose and treat patients.
- The team used a visual display board that helped it track turnaround times.