Time studies are hardly anybody’s idea of a great time, and in fact are notorious for causing friction between administrators and the wide range of people tasked with logging and filing the data. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Here are five tenets of time studies that will help reduce friction and improve results:
Personalize It: When you tailor time studies to the specific users, they feel like they have greater ownership in the process and are more motivated to accomplish their piece of the task. Additionally, tailored time studies—which among other things only ask the user for data relevant to their role—are simply easier to complete (and to complete accurately). Increased motivation and improved accuracy can’t help but generate better outcomes.
Everyone Matters: People want to be valued; that’s simple human nature. And when it comes to time studies, every single participant serves a purpose and helps drive success. It’s up to the time study administrators to show all participants—no matter the role—that the data they collect brings significant value to the organization. When they know they’re impacting real-world dollars, people will want to participate and to do a good job.
Real Time = Real Advantage: In the race to complete time studies, instant data is a turbo boost. When you have fast and easy access to real-time data, you can spot issues, resolve problems, glean insights, and make informed decisions faster. This is why moving away from paper time studies is so important—and why using a platform like MyTimeStudy is such a differentiator for hospitals.
Open the Floor: When people say “change fuels chatter,” they typically are voicing caution. But the energy behind that chatter can also be harnessed for the power of good. When modernizing or otherwise changing their time study platform, leading organizations channel this type of buzz into open discussions about how to refine the process and improve results. Make sure everyone’s voice has the chance to help shape new processes for the better.
Find a Coach: Time studies may be periodic, but they require full-time commitment. Unfortunately, this unique, fast-passed, and stressful environment also sees a lot of turnover. And with turnover comes a disruption in institutional knowledge. All these factors make it important for administrators to have an experienced time-study coach on hand to help navigate ever-changing CMS rules and the overall healthcare landscape. MyTimeStudy is that coach and provides a foundation of consistency and commitment from one cycle to the next.
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