Introduction
According to the findings of a recent research conducted to determine the expenses of health-care systems in the government, it was established that a lot of resources is wasted in various non-profitable activities. The resources are wasted on non-beneficial schemes such as; fraud, redundant laboratory tests, errors, and unnecessary treatments. The government efforts to counter the problems have proved futile, thus, the cost of wastage seem to increase day by day.
By embracing the Business Weekly newspaper and other articles, the writer will explore 3 major ways in which health care can institute to reduce health care costs.
Ways in Minimizing Health-Care Costs
Care Integration and Coordination among the Doctors
In any health-care organization, it is very important to encourage a team spirit. A doctor mainly specializes in one area and may not be well versed with others. For instance, a number of doctors may be required to treat a patient who has one or several chronic diseases. The presence of health care integration and coordination simplify; efficient complementary treatments, systematic ordering criteria and efficient cross-check prescriptions which result in saving substantial costs (Arnst, 2010). A huge sum of money is used to treat mistakes caused by negligence when administering drugs thus leading to adverse chemical reactions. The presence of health care integration and coordination enhances efficient linkage with physical therapists, pharmacists and specialists making it possible in addressing a patient’s needs through the efficiency of computerization. Consequently, the government can set up a partnership agreement with the doctors to facilitate efficient service delivery by offering technical and financial aid (Arnst, 2010).
Maintaining and Developing a Healthy and Positive Workforce
A good and favorable working environment is a major motivator for the workforce. The medical staff needs to feel a sense of belonging and appreciation to inspire them from executing his or her duties well. Equally, teamwork should be employed during all operations to prevent serious mistakes which increases costs, whenever mistakes are repeated (Lavizzo-Mourey, 2009). Teamwork encourages efficiency in service levels and employee learning through direct contact and participation hence minimizing costs. A robust united workforce has a mission of working towards the organizational goals which in most organizations are profit maximization and costs decrease. A healthy workforce can be achieved through measures such as; employee recognition, use of incentives and promotions. This measures help to strengthen and inspire employee spirits thus aiding in accomplishing standardized goals, which result, in work satisfaction and costs reduction (Lavizzo-Mourey, 2009).
Elimination of Fraudulent Measures
Fraud plays a key role in the medical industry. Fraud leads to massive losses of funds in unscrupulous purchases. Fraud is schemed out in various forms such as; spending money on illegal drugs and scandalous scams such as rigged payment procedures. Unscrupulous doctors and fraudulent claims can affect the beneficial health-care gross domestic growth for a very long time (Wong, 2009). Efficient implementation of corrective measures such as the use of efficient detecting devices, law enforcers and highly-skilled professionals’ agent should be embraced. Fake drugs should be detected and destroyed and public awareness created as they cause severe damage which usually incurs huge expenditure.
How Fayetteville NC VA Hospital Is Actively Improving Costs Associated with Healthcare Delivery
The senior management of Fayetteville NC VA Hospital has put in place several measures to counter cost reduction by maintaining and developing a healthy and productive workforce. Such measures include; providing better working environment and facilitating efficient training grounds for their medic aids. The management has also adopted the use of innovative technological measures (Wong, 2009).Consequently; computerization of all operation to facilitate efficient service levels delivery and strengthen medical care has been another improvement. In addition, a well -structured, integrated and coordinated taskforce has been effected. The taskforce has been mandated to ensure all problems are well resolved at a minimum time possible and the hospital activities are well coordinated. Finally, the senior management of the hospital has ensured that the human labor available is well qualified and posses’ sufficient skills required in carrying out a given task.
The top management of Fayetteville NC VA Hospital has ensured that they encourage team works and team spirits to achieve the set goals. The management is aware that teamwork increases work efficiency and minimizes risks thereby resulting in major costs reduction. The management also boosts the morale of the staffs through the use of incentives and job recognition (Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, 2008). The performing doctors are enrolled to various academic institutions to develop their knowledge under the hospital investment schemes. Seminars and workshops are conducted periodically to promote further learning and social interaction. Finally, the top management ensures that they assign tasks to their juniors, which boosts the work spirits.
Criteria for Countering Health-Care Related Costs during the Planning Stages
When planning new programs, I will ensure that an elaborate system is implemented to counter fraudulent measures; this will be achieved by ensuring that high levels of transparency are implemented, and a centralized system is in place. I will also embrace team work and team spirits to create quality circles and work satisfactions. In addition, I will put in place work motivator and ensure there’s a very productive work atmosphere to enhance employees work morale (Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, 2008). Finally, I will ensure that the employees have relevant training and qualifications appropriate to meet their work specifications.
Conclusion
A huge amount of money can be saved upon streamlining the health-care operational structure of a given country. The health industry is a dynamic industry and all its processes and activities require a transparent and efficient system to sustain. Proper documentation structure ought to be in place to facilitate follow-ups in-case of in variances. The sector requires an organized management system to facilitate implementation of its objectives and in order to accomplish its goals.
Reference List
Arnst, C. (2009). 10 Ways to Cut Health-Care Costs Right Now. BusinessWeek, Web.
Lavizzo-Mourey, R. (2009). The Road to Reform. Web.
Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured (2008). States Moving Toward Comprehensive Health Care Reform. Web.
Wong, V. (2009). How hospitals can slash costs (slide show). BusinessWeek, Web.