Healthcare is a high-stakes industry with “death-defying” feats performed every day. Much like a circus, leaders juggle a lot of competing priorities – strong financial performance, employee engagement, patient/staff satisfaction, and high-quality outcomes. Finding operational balance is an ongoing struggle that often feels like a tightrope act that must be mastered. A focus on productivity is one way to tame the chaos.
In today’s environment, many hospitals and health systems are burdened by staffing shortages, administrative challenges, dated technology, and fragmented care delivery, all of which contribute to inefficient and unsustainable operations. Despite these obstacles, productivity initiatives often remain sidelined, the “elephant in the room” leaders choose to ignore rather than address. Productivity management instills routine, structure, and accountability around continuous performance improvement efforts. It is not just about doing more or working with less; it is a systematic approach to effectively meeting increasing demands.
Avoiding the productivity conversation in your organization can come at a high price. Wasted or misused resources, throughput issues, extended length of stay, delayed turnaround times, disjointed processes, and poor communication can result in growing costs that threaten future viability. Here are some lessons from the circus on how healthcare leaders can start rethinking productivity:
- Streamline Workflows: Just as acrobats rely on sturdy equipment and practice, staff need the proper training, tools, and systems to be effective. Improving workflows, both at the departmental and organizational levels, by leveraging automation, eliminating redundancy, and ensuring the right tasks are being done by the right people boosts performance
- Prioritize Quality: Believe it or not, increased productivity goes hand-in-hand with improved quality. When circus performers focus on the artistry and precision of their acts, they perform at their best. Routinely evaluating productivity metrics keeps a steady alignment between labor and volume demand; reducing cost and improving outcomes. Like patient satisfaction and reduced readmissions, productivity reporting should take center stage.
- Invest in Leadership Growth: Every circus performer undergoes rigorous training and relies on a strong support system. Healthcare leaders, not just staff, also need ongoing education and development to elevate their skills and enhance their effectiveness
- Collaborate and Communicate: A circus act thrives on teamwork. In healthcare, breaking down silos and fostering collaboration between departments can create a more cohesive and efficient system
- Recognize and Reward Excellence: Just as a standing ovation motivates performers, recognizing the contributions of staff members can boost morale and engagement. Celebrate successes, no matter how small, to keep the show going strong
Healthcare leaders may worry that addressing productivity could lead to resistance, burnout, or even staff attrition. However, productivity in healthcare is not a problem to be feared but an opportunity to be embraced. Leaders have a responsibility to prioritize it—not as a punitive measure but as a means to deliver better care, support their teams, and ensure the sustainability of their organizations.
Now is the time to incorporate productivity into your leadership style and keep the circus running! ALTIUS provides the data, tools, and education necessary to promote success under your “big-top.” To learn more, visit our website or reach out directly here!