Operational Mastery in Healthcare Facilities #257008

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Analyze and Optimize Patient Flow and Throughput: Apply industrial engineering and lean principles to eliminate bottlenecks in patient admission, transfer, and discharge processes.

• Master Healthcare Supply Chain and Logistics Management: Implement strategies for inventory control, sterile processing, and supply chain resilience to reduce waste and ensure clinical readiness.

• Ensure Regulatory Readiness and Compliance: Navigate the complex web of Joint Commission (TJC), OSHA, CMS, and other regulatory requirements for the physical environment.

• Manage Facility Infrastructure and Environmental Services: Optimize the management of critical building systems (HVAC, electrical, water) and lead a high-reliability environmental services (EVS) department for infection prevention.

• Lead Capital Planning and Financial Stewardship: Develop business cases for capital equipment and facility projects, managing budgets and justifying ROI for operational initiatives.

• Implement Continuous Performance Improvement: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and dashboards to monitor, analyze, and continuously improve all facets of facility operations.

This program is designed for professionals responsible for the non-clinical, operational performance of healthcare facilities.

• Hospital Administrators and Operations Directors

• Facilities Directors and Managers

• Directors of Plant Operations / Engineering

• Environmental Services (EVS) Directors and Managers

• Supply Chain and Materials Management Leaders

• Nursing Home Administrators

• Clinical Department Heads with operational responsibilities

• Consultants specializing in healthcare operations

• Pre-assessment
• Live group instruction
• Use of real-world examples, case studies and exercises
• Interactive participation and discussion
• Power point presentation, LCD and flip chart
• Group activities and tests
• Each participant receives a binder containing a copy of the presentation
• slides and handouts
• Post-assessment

Day 1: The Foundation of Healthcare Operations

• Morning:

  • Module 1: The Operating System of a Healthcare Facility: Introduction to the course. Understanding how operational functions interlink to support clinical care and drive financial performance.

  • Module 2: High-Reliability Principles for Operations: Applying HRO mindset (preoccupation with failure, sensitivity to operations) to facility management to ensure safety and prevent downtime.

• Afternoon:

  • Module 3: Regulatory Landscape Mastery: Deep dive into TJC Environment of Care (EC), Life Safety (LS), and Emergency Management (EM) standards, as well as OSHA and CMS requirements.

  • Workshop: Conducting a Self-Assessment Audit: Participants use a checklist to perform a mock audit of a facility department, identifying gaps and risks.

  • Day 1 Recap: Building a culture of compliance and reliability.

Day 2: Optimizing Patient Flow and Space Utilization

• Morning:

  • Module 4: Lean Healthcare and Process Engineering: Using value stream mapping and spaghetti diagrams to identify and eliminate waste in patient and material flow.

  • Module 5: Capacity Management and Throughput: Strategies to optimize bed management, reduce ED boarding, and improve OR turnover times.

• Afternoon:

  • Module 6: Master Planning and Space Optimization: Techniques for analyzing space utilization, planning for renovation, and designing workflows for new construction.

  • Simulation: The Patient Journey: A hands-on exercise redesigning the flow of a patient from ER to discharge to minimize delays and non-value-added steps.

  • Day 2 Recap: Engineering efficiency into every patient movement.

Day 3: Supply Chain, Logistics, and Asset Management

• Morning:

  • Module 7: Healthcare Supply Chain Excellence: Implementing just-in-time (JIT) inventory, par levels, and supply chain strategies for clinical areas (OR, Cath Lab).

  • Module 8: Sterile Processing Department (SPD) Operations: Mastering the workflow, quality control, and integration of SPD to ensure patient safety and OR efficiency.

• Afternoon:

  • Module 9: Medical Equipment Lifecycle Management: From acquisition and deployment to maintenance and decommissioning. Utilizing computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).

  • Workshop: Analyzing Supply Chain Data: Participants use sample data to identify waste, optimize inventory levels, and calculate cost-saving opportunities.

  • Day 3 Recap: Ensuring the right resources are in the right place at the right time.

Day 4: Infrastructure, EVS, and Safety

• Morning:

  • Module 10: Managing Critical Facility Systems: Best practices for maintaining HVAC (for infection control), electrical systems, medical gases, and water systems.

  • Module 11: Environmental Services (EVS) as an Infection Prevention Strategy: Leading an EVS department for excellence. Monitoring cleanliness and linking EVS performance to HAI rates.

• Afternoon:

  • Module 12: Emergency Preparedness and Utilities Management: Developing robust plans for power failure, water interruption, and other crises. Managing generator testing and compliance.

  • Case Study: Managing an Infrastructure Crisis: Teams develop a response plan for a major systems failure (e.g., HVAC shutdown in an OR).

  • Day 4 Recap: Protecting your physical plant to protect your patients.

Day 5: Financial Acumen, Leadership, and Capstone

• Morning:

  • Module 13: Operational Finance and Capital Planning: Building business cases for operational projects. Calculating ROI for new equipment or process improvements. Managing an operational budget.

  • Module 14: Leading Operational Teams: Change management for operations. Engaging frontline staff (technicians, EVS staff) in continuous improvement.

• Afternoon:

  • Capstone Activity: The Operational Excellence Plan: Participants develop a comprehensive project plan to address a real operational challenge in their facility, incorporating:

    • Process Analysis

    • Regulatory Compliance Check

    • Financial Justification

    • Implementation Timeline

    • KPIs for Success

  • Final Presentations & Peer Review: Presenting plans to the group for feedback.

  • Course Conclusion: Commitment to action, final review, and awarding of certificates.