Productivity and Process Improvement

John Johnston describes the role of the finance leader in developing a culture of proactively mitigating failures.

By identifying key supply chain opportunities and process flow issues that needed correction, MaineHealth saved approximately $16 million in 2015, the first year of its overhaul; $27 million in 2016; and more than $34 million in 2017.

Consistent, accurate, and timely clinical reporting has the power to prompt care teams to adhere to clinical protocols and be mindful of how they stack up against peers and national benchmarks.

The Office for a Healthy Environment at Cleveland Clinic has launched several initiatives to manage its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning costs, which can drain the energy budget. For example, using setbacks to lower the thermostat just two degrees saves $600,000 a year.

Quality improvement projects that focus on more efficient management of resources may improve patient satisfaction and result in modest cost savings.

Local solutions that deliver high value care and create healthier populations are helping hospitals and health systems balance volume versus value challenges.

Three health systems are taking ownership of their role in the opioid epidemic with physician-led initiatives to alter pain management practices and help doctors live up to their commitment to do no harm.

The health system achieved a 1-3 percent cost reduction by moving to self-operated services and streamlining vendors, while adding room service and healthier food options.

The health system increased patient interpreter services from 370,211 minutes in 2015 to 915,466 in 2016, but still experienced a systemwide language access expense reduction of $203,360. 

Access to actionable data presented in well-structured reports and dashboard formats optimizes decision-making.