Electronic Health Reporter

By Roy Bejarano, CEO, SCALE Healthcare.

As we head into the new year, healthcare organizations will reevaluate their internal processes, procedures, and business plans to ensure they are ready to best serve patients and continue to operate successfully. There are many considerations and adjustments that are likely on the minds of organizational leaders based on aspects of the industry that have changed throughout the past three, tumultuous years. The new year is a prime time to assess the state of the industry and make shifts in processes for the betterment of overall patient care.

At SCALE Healthcare, we help healthcare organizations elevate their management performance and fine-tune their processes. Here is what healthcare organizations should keep an eye out for in 2023 and what internal considerations they may need to make to shift with the changing times in the healthcare industry.

The state of the industry 

Today’s healthcare industry has been colored by what our world has endured since the onset of the pandemic, and many offices and organizations are still grappling with issues brought about by COVID. Cost and supply challenges continue to hamper the work that healthcare professionals can complete successfully. Problems with talent retention, the need for better invoicing and payment options, and the rise of healthcare IT technology advancements are all contributing to a rapidly evolving industry overall. 

Higher costs and lower supply 

At the close of 2022, rising costs and lingering issues affecting global supply chains remained in the headlines. One of the culprits behind the rising costs of healthcare services is the quantity-over-quality model, an issue only compounded by providers that do not subscribe to a quality-focused care model. 

In essence, the more services a provider delivers to their patients, the greater the costs insurance companies and private-pay patients incur, sending prices skyrocketing across the board. Yet reimbursement policies, as they are, do not always incentivize a shift to a value-based model for healthcare organizations. Many offices remain set in their ways, following an “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” mentality. However, studies show that when offices shift to a value-based model over a fee-for-service approach, outcomes improve, and providers are rewarded for the quality of care they give to clients rather than pure quantity. 

In addition, the supply chain will remain a hot topic in 2023. Shortages of the ADHD drug Adderall and Amoxicillin have already trickled down to affecting patients who are being told waits to access these prescription drugs could be weeks — in some cases, even months. 

To successfully navigate ongoing supply chain interruptions in 2023, organizations must consider how robust their software is in terms of keeping up with supply data. Analyzing their needs concerning supply chain issues may be a part of an entire IT overhaul in the new year. 

Labor — retention and training 

The labor shortage hitting many industries has been at the root of heated debates for some time. From “quiet quitting” to the Great Resignation, employees are clamoring for changes in the workplace. 

Remote work, for example, has gained substantial ground since the onset of the pandemic. Organizations that are not putting stock in the changing demands of the workforce are doing themselves a disservice, as they will likely need to initiate a massive push for retention initiatives within their organizations during 2023. 

Traditional approaches to employee retention and training are no longer meeting the bar. Without recognition, better benefits, and ample opportunities for advancement and professional growth, many employees will leave to seek better positions. 

Healthcare IT and technology advancements 

Technology in healthcare has come a long way throughout the past few decades. Applications such as electronic medical records (EMRs), for instance, are becoming commonplace. During the pandemic, telehealth use surged, and many organizations intend to carry its use into 2023 and beyond. 

Organizations looking to adjust the technology they employ should take stock of their needs and what technology can best meet those needs. While the initial investment in technology upgrades can be costly, the potential ROI can be worthwhile. Better, more advanced technology measures can improve efficiency and service, thereby helping organizations cut costs and retain patients. 

The patient experience 

The modern healthcare industry should be one built around the patient experience — even from an internal standpoint. Changes and shifts made should all consider their impact on the patient. For example, when an organization updates the way they invoice or receive payments, it should be done to improve an internal process and improve the quality of care and overall experience for their patients. If a change only complicates the patient payment experience, it may garner a second look and more tweaking. 

 Building a great healthcare experience and a great organization will require a significant amount of reflection and assessment of the changes the industry currently faces. The turn of the new year is a great time for organizations to carefully consider where they may need to update processes, what concerns held by the industry should be considered, and how they can continue to best scale their operations throughout 2023 and beyond.