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Making the most of your “re-engineering” consultants
A COSTEFFECTIVESURVIVALREVIEW MARYOSBORN,R.N. UNIV. OF CALIF. DAVISLIFE FLIGHT, SACRAMENTO, CALIF. 95817 INTRODUCTION: Cutting costswithout compromising safetyis a priority in air medicalprograms today.This classallowedthe flight crew opportunity to review simple survival techniquesin the field at minimal cost. METHOD: Two groupswere involved. AMCS personnelreportedto dispatch. The flight crew reportedto an airport 18 miles out of the city in full flight gearwith survival equipmentthey routinely havein the aircraft. Crew membersweredividedinto three groupsand flown to different rural locations. AMCSpersonnelimplemented the program pre-accidentprocedurefor eachgroup. At eachsite a group leader
with preselectedquestionsfacilitated discussionand survivalstrategy. Eachcrew experimentedwith their survival equipment. After 40 minutes eachgroup was retrievedafter successfullysignaling the rescueaircraft. At a central location, the questionswere reviewedand each group discussedwhat equipmentand innovativeideasthey had used. RESULTS: This cost effectivedrill, requiring only two hours out-of-servicetime, was perceivedby the program personnelas effectivetraining. In the field setting with an unknown time of rescue,the crewswere ableto simulatea survivalsituation. Using a pre-selectedset of questionsand discussingthe answerspost drill, survival techniqueswere reinforced. CONCLUSION: Utilizing a short, out-offacilitysurvival classcanbe a cost effectiveway to reinforce survival techniquesand emergency proceduresfor air medicalprogram ,personnel.
Title: Making the most of your “Re-engineering”Consultants.N. Newark, R. Weber, B. Davenport. Duke Life Flight, Duke University Hospital, Durham, North Carolina. Introduction: Air ambulance programs are not exempt from the organizational “reengineering” process occurring as a result of anticipated changes in the health care delivery system. Strategies can be utilized that will assist your program to benefit from the process. Methods: An overview of the program was done looking at transport activity, peak times and services provided. A data collection form was developed colaboratively that documented types of activities and the time involved to perform them. A review of the activities was done that verified their appropriateness. The average time and frequency for these activities were calculated. Results: The data that was analyzed supported the staffing mix and activities performed. It was identified that work redesign would benefit certain job categories. Further cross training among job classifications would meet peak volume without increasing staff. Conclusion: Re-engineering consultants are being utilized to evaluate air ambulance systems, personnel resources with an emphasis on cost containment and efficiency. Several strategies were utilized by the nurse manager in this process to: maintain ownership of process, validate data analysis, and negotiate recommendations. The goals were to: manage environment during the process, develop skills/tools for effective strategic planning, and create an environmentthat supportswork redesignat the unit1level and complements the static changes occurring in a complex organization. 166
14:3
July-September
1995
Air Medical
Journal
with preselectedquestionsfacilitated discussionand survivalstrategy. Eachcrew experimentedwith their survival equipment. After 40 minutes eachgroup was retrievedafter successfullysignaling the rescueaircraft. At a central location, the questionswere reviewedand each group discussedwhat equipmentand innovativeideasthey had used. RESULTS: This cost effectivedrill, requiring only two hours out-of-servicetime, was perceivedby the program personnelas effectivetraining. In the field setting with an unknown time of rescue,the crewswere ableto simulatea survivalsituation. Using a pre-selectedset of questionsand discussingthe answerspost drill, survival techniqueswere reinforced. CONCLUSION: Utilizing a short, out-offacilitysurvival classcanbe a cost effectiveway to reinforce survival techniquesand emergency proceduresfor air medicalprogram ,personnel.
Title: Making the most of your “Re-engineering”Consultants.N. Newark, R. Weber, B. Davenport. Duke Life Flight, Duke University Hospital, Durham, North Carolina. Introduction: Air ambulance programs are not exempt from the organizational “reengineering” process occurring as a result of anticipated changes in the health care delivery system. Strategies can be utilized that will assist your program to benefit from the process. Methods: An overview of the program was done looking at transport activity, peak times and services provided. A data collection form was developed colaboratively that documented types of activities and the time involved to perform them. A review of the activities was done that verified their appropriateness. The average time and frequency for these activities were calculated. Results: The data that was analyzed supported the staffing mix and activities performed. It was identified that work redesign would benefit certain job categories. Further cross training among job classifications would meet peak volume without increasing staff. Conclusion: Re-engineering consultants are being utilized to evaluate air ambulance systems, personnel resources with an emphasis on cost containment and efficiency. Several strategies were utilized by the nurse manager in this process to: maintain ownership of process, validate data analysis, and negotiate recommendations. The goals were to: manage environment during the process, develop skills/tools for effective strategic planning, and create an environmentthat supportswork redesignat the unit1level and complements the static changes occurring in a complex organization. 166
14:3
July-September
1995
Air Medical
Journal