I’ve been in the healthcare industry long enough to know that there are a lot of policies and processes out there that are just plain bad. I’m not saying they’re wrong or right or even inefficient or costly. I’m saying they’re bad. Like leftover food in the fridge bad.
And it gets worse. Because the longer those leftovers sit there, the more they stink.
Granted, today’s now-stinky processes were almost certainly the right choice at one time. But isn’t that always the case? As you put the turkey carcass in the refrigerator, you think to yourself, this is going to make a good sandwich tomorrow. And it does! It makes a great sandwich! And as you put the remains back on the shelf, you shut the door and think, that is going to make another good sandwich tomorrow.
Then tomorrow comes and sure enough, that salad looks like it will hit the spot, and really the turkey should be fine for one more day. And then you have takeout the next day, and then the weekend is here and without even noticing — that bad bird in the fridge is getting rank!
Of course, for this analogy to really work, the refrigerator would have to be in a hospital staff room, where multiple people are adding leftovers to the shelves while the people who previously filled out the back shelves have moved on or simply forgotten what they’ve spawned. That stink in the break room? Oh, it’s somebody else’s fault. Until eventually, “It’s always smelled that way.”
But this isn’t about assigning blame and it isn’t about how you identify the bad leftovers (if it were, I’d be plugging Gazer™ right now). It isn’t even about fixing any given policy. Though I will say, every time I can help to get rid of one of these nasty old things, it does feel great. The doctors and medical staff that were putting up with the stink for so long they were smell-blind to it are always so appreciative.
Today, I just want to get you to think differently about the new or changed policies and processes that you implement in your workplace. Large change or small, don’t just ask yourself, is this the best thing to do right now? Ask yourself, what are its limits? How long will the need for this particular process last? Set a task in your calendar to periodically review new or changed processes. (Every few days? Monthly? It all depends on the process.) Don’t let those policies slowly metastasize through neglect.
In other words, know that when you change or implement processes, those things have a shelf life. And nobody wants to be around them when they’re old and forgotten.
Have you got your own “Adminstrivial Malpractice” horror story? What’s the most ridiculous policy or practice that just keeps stinking up your workplace? Drop me a note or leave your comments below and we’ll find out if you can top some of the things I’ve seen!
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