Clintcast

Our customers want to know they are getting the best healthcare possible, just as we would want if in their position. As such, it is critical that we instill in our organizations an expectation that we will deliver that healthcare to the utmost... 1st place, if you will. Even when we fall a little short of perfection, we have a self-correcting, ever-improving attitude to keep the winning expectation in place. In today’s podcast, Clint elaborates on this concept, making certain we don’t settle for 2nd place (or tieing for 2nd) in our daily work. Our customers expect the best of us, no different than we should of ourselves. It is truly easy to feel that ‘healthcare is cool’ when you dominate the field!

In the healthcare profession, as in many businesses, it is the cash flow/payment/reimbursement process that is the lifeblood that enables us to do what we do... in this case, to take care of people. In healthcare in particular, there are ample opportunities for mistakes to occur which can deprive us of money that is rightly/morally/ethically/etc ours but has resulted instead in money left on the table unclaimed. The surest way to combat this needless situation is to ensure that everyone in the organization has a vested understanding and interest in making sure we receive the money we earn. This requires a firm understanding of the payment/reimbursement process, documentation procedures/coding, specifics related to care-type/etc. More pair of eyes catching mistakes and oversights ultimate helps us to build a bigger pie so everyone can have a bigger piece!

Care Crowd Creed #3 - Teaming makes it easier... While lots has been discussed in prior episodes as to the advantages teaming in organizations, less has been covered in regards to how those teams are formed in the first place. In today’s episode, Clint elaborates on the reasons why it is often helpful to have the team leader handpick many of the positions during team-formation from their co-workers. This helps to build a group that is already cohesive (hopefully) and comprised of members who are usually closest to the problem (where the best solutions tend to come from). Checkout these helpful tips to help maximize the effectiveness of your teams by utilizing co-workers!

Clint has discussed ‘step-up’ behavior in previous podcasts - it is that ability and innate drive to take things to the next level of effort when it is called for in order to ensure success. This extra effort has the added benefit of not only ensuring this success, but it brings about added bonuses in the process. Listen in today to learn about these extra perks, as well as knowing how and when to join-in on providing step-up actions as the need arises. It is one of the greatest paybacks in the healthcare profession and helps to reinforce why you found your calling in healthcare in the first place!

Teaming makes it easier - even if that team is as small as two people. Even though the two may address implementing solutions from different vantage points or tasks, the common vision makes the pair more effective than either one can be separately. It is crucial that we all have that sort of relationship in our daily work with a partner who helps to ensure that the progress continues daily, in the fashion of the 50-50 relationship that has been discussed in other episodes. For Clint, that person is Kathy Cain, Vice President at Maun-Lemke, LLC. Today, Clint takes a moment to elaborate on her outstanding work and partnership as they work together to better the healthcare profession!

Today, Clint discusses Service Standards. These are devices that provide clear, concise deliverables or expectations that are required of all staff of an organization. They provide the high-level basis upon which more detail-level components can be built as the means for delivering on these standards. He provides some examples provided by a recent client visit such as "Communication" which entails the various facets the organization utilizes to ensure communications between staff are productive, yet respectful. The intent is not to micro-define the ‘how’, but rather to define at a high-level the ‘what’ is expected for optimal organizational effectiveness. Listen in!

Making a difference - it is at the heart of why we are in the healthcare profession. We each have a critical role to play in delivering great differences for our customers. Some days, we may do things that are are home-runs. Other days, our efforts may seem fairly routine (but are nonetheless vital that they happen). It is a great occurrence when our efforts can result in a lasting impression that lingers on long after the initial event. These are living, ongoing testaments to differences that we make and serve to remind us that the consequences of our actions (positive and negative) often have very long lasting results. Consider the differences you are making today (and for the extended future!)

In any marketplace, there will be competitors for customers. Healthcare is no different. Your organization should naturally be doing its best to meet and exceed the customer needs for that marketplace. That said, while it may seem counter-intuitive to want to have good competitors, it is actually a good thing to have worthy competition fighting for your customer base. This helps to foster even better customer service, as well as to provide fertile ground for innovation and fresh thinking. Better competition brings out the best in both organizations and vastly improves the playing field for the customer!

Remember your Care Crowd Creed - Teaming Makes It Easier! One way we can utilize this aspect is by implementing the concept of Team Rounding. Making rounds doesn’t have to be an activity reserved only for management staff. Team members can take time to observe the goings-on of their environment and interact customers and fellow staff. There will be lots of opportunities for praise, as well as the occasional opportunity to spot an issue that can be corrected without need for blame or finger-pointing. These opportunities for instant remedies exemplify creating solutions closest to the problems!

In healthcare, there will always be periods when things get a great deal busier than usual. That needs to be viewed as a good thing! Our customers don’t want to be customers in the first place, but as long as they are, we would rather them be our customers rather than the competitor’s down the road, in this economy especially. That concept of being ‘slammed’ thusly needs to be viewed as an opportunity, not as an occasion of defeatist beleaguerment. Make sure we carry an attitude that is up to the challenge of delivering great customer service, especially during our busiest moments!