7 Most Common Healthcare Management Mistakes

Anyone who is brave enough to jump into the behavioral healthcare arena does so in hopes of making a positive difference in someone’s quality of life. As noble as that goal is, without developing sound organizational health practices there is a good chance the endeavor will not live up to expectations.

So what is organizational health? This term refers to the various cogs in the healthcare management wheel that work in tandem to produce successful results for both patients and providers. Each one of the cogs contributes equally to the overall health of the organization.

Most healthcare companies, regardless of size, have a cog or two that is wobbly. This imbalance drags down productivity, efficiency, and even employee morale. Management can improve overall company results by doing an assessment of the “cogs” to determine possible areas that could use some improvement.

What Are the Most Common Management Mistakes?

The healthcare field has similar management needs and challenges as any other business, albeit with the addition of unique healthcare safety mandates and licensing requirements. Management missteps are not unlike those experienced in any other industry. Become familiar with the 7 most common management shortcomings in the behavioral health landscape:

1. Failure to define your purpose or mission. What is your reason for being? Why did you put it all on the line to open a behavioral healthcare facility? Every single part of your organization rests on its clearly defined and articulated purpose. Your mission is what will attract top talent to join your team and draw patients into your program. A well-defined purpose is a powerful magnet and motivator. If you have not yet established this message it will negatively resonate throughout the organization.

2. Giving staff training short shrift. Each person that contributes their talents and skills to the organization is only as good as their training. Regardless of background and education level, poor training will diminish cohesiveness in the care provided. Quality training, not only at the onboarding phase but also provided at planned intervals, helps ensure consistent excellence in care.

3. Falling behind on licensing and certifications. The healthcare industry is highly regulated to ensure patient safety is upheld to best practices. This is enforced by certifications and licensure, and then periodic updates and amended requirements. Poor compliance can seriously harm a healthcare organization, as it opens the business to sanctions, closures, lawsuits, and poor patient reviews.

4. Not updating IT software systems. In the digital age it is essential to update software systems and hardware periodically. Electronic health records are now mandated in the industry, so that is a given. But to increase efficiency, updating accounting, payroll, and H.R. systems is also necessary in order to remain competitive.

5. Not prioritizing the patient. The entire operation and its purpose revolve around patient care. Unfortunately, the business side of the endeavor can become cumbersome and distracting, only stealing attention from prioritizing the patient. Every effort should be made to continually improve the program by introducing new evidence-based innovations in treatment, refining outcomes measurements, and improving the overall patient experience.

6. Failing to develop leadership team. Successful healthcare organizations take care to develop a cohesive leadership team. The goals, and benchmarks to reach those goals, must be embraced by the team and then communicated to the staff. The leadership drives the stated goals through effective communication, incentives, and accountability. Provide room for leaders to thrive with opportunities for growth within the organization.

7. Ignoring the needs of your team. From the very outset of the healthcare venture, vibrant company culture should be cultivated. The team will thrive in an environment that is authentic, connected, and united. Neglecting the needs of the team is shortsighted, as it only leads to poor morale and high turnover. Give employees a workplace that values wellness and personal growth and it will flourish.

3 Ways to Improve Your Behavioral Healthcare Organization in the New Year

With a fresh New Year in the offing, why not take the turning of the calendar as an opportunity give your establishment a once-over? The New Year offers a clean slate that invites new perspectives and goals. Here are some ways to improve your operation:

Update the lobby and kitchen. A little refresh of the place can yield huge rewards as it boosts spirits and improves its general appearance. Be strategic if funds are limited and just focus on the lobby/admissions area and the employee dining area. A décor update in the lobby, with a new color scheme and some on-trend furnishings, improves the first impression a prospective client has. New appliances and seating in the dining area improves the team morale.

Kick off the New Year. While impossible this year to have a typical gathering, it is still possible to gather employees together early in the year for a kick-off. This could be an outdoor event with an open-air tent or an online Zoom event. Plan an agenda that is inspiring, where you can introduce some new innovations for the program. Get the team pumped by inviting a guest speaker who is tops in the field. Lay out some new goals and get the whole team motivated about the upcoming year.

Bring in a consultant for a review of your operation. Sometimes it takes an objective viewpoint to even be able to spot the areas needing improvement. A consultant who specializes in the behavioral health field can identify weak areas and provide targeted strategies for improving and optimizing all the cogs in the wheel.

About the Author

Devon Wayt is the Founder and CEO of Circa Behavioral Healthcare Solutions, which specializes in transforming the behavioral healthcare industry by improving organizational health. Devon’s 17 years of experience operating behavioral healthcare and recovery organizations lends expertise in the areas of quality and compliance, operations and change management within this industry. Devon believes that everyone can be a leader, but leadership would not exist without ethical utilities such as honesty, authenticity, transparency, integrity, a commitment to self-respect and leading by example. Inspiring creativity and innovation while honoring the freedom to make mistakes sharpen the ability to lead teams, achieve organizational goals, and win.