McLeod Regional Medical Center aims for efficiency

FLORENCE — McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence has implemented a two-part strategy within its organization to strong through uncertain economic times.

When it comes to the effects of a tough economy, McLeod is no different than other businesses or organizations, said Donna Isgett, McLeod senior vice president for quality and safety.

AT A GLANCE

Name: McLeod Regional Medical Center
Established:1906
Address: 555 E. Cheves St., Florence
CEO and President: Rob Colones
Employees: 4,700
Specialty: Health care
Web site: http://www.mcleodhealth.org

“It’s like any other business. We saw the same effect,” she said. “(Patients) postpone having surgery … there’s an increase in Medicare patients and there’s a decline in services and productions. The economy affects everyone.”

It was important for the hospital to be proactive, not reactive, to the recession, Isgett said.

“We huddled early before the real downturn,” she said.

The economy has had a 27-month downturn and the recovery has been slow, said Rob Colones, president and CEO of McLeod Health.

Because the hospital operates as a nonprofit, it faced unique challenges, Isgett said.

The McLeod Foundation is based on charitable giving, but a bad economy means a decline in donations.

“In these times everyone is tight. Getting external funding isn’t the answer,” Isgett said. “We need to be better stewards of the funds we do have, because we don’t want the patients to suffer.”
The first step in McLeod’s economic strategy is operating efficiency and finding ways to take the waste out of work, Colones said.

To find ways to save money, McLeod officials actually counted the steps McLeod nurses and other staffer take to reach supplies. As a result, the supplies were moved closer, which helped save time, money and improved bedside care.

Operational efficiency at McLeod is supported by a program or method known as Operational Effectiveness. McLeod’s improvement teams analyze processes and work flow to reduce steps, reduce barriers and remove waste from the system of care, according to McLeod officials.

Senior leaders at McLeod are also working on ways to improve patient flow.

“We don’t want to waste the patient’s time,” Isgett said. “One of the things we see now are people who are afraid to seek health care because they are afraid to be away from their jobs.”

A second way to offset a bad economy is to help the McLeod employees in any way possible, said Jeannette Glenn, senior vice president of human resources, education and training.

“We relate to people who have the heart to serve and the people who lay hands on the patients,” she said.

McLeod has employee emergency funds that are available to help staff members who may be faced with hard financial times.

“If they are behind on their rent, that fund is to help them better weather those conditions,” Glenn said.

McLeod also has the Angel Food Network for its employees, which helps more than 600 families each month with the costs of groceries. The network makes quality food available for about half the cost.
A 13-week financial program is available for employees of McLeod, as well, Glenn said.

“When the employee signs up, they can bring their spouse or teens. (The program) teaches you a number of ways to manage each penny and how to budget for needs,” she said.