‘Create a team’ to balance volume and quality patient care
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ORLANDO — Building a team and maximizing efficiency by being a leader and a participant on that team are ways to enhance patient care and effectively manage time during surgery, said a presenter at Cataract Surgery: Telling It Like It Is.
“Efficiency can lead to speed, but speed absolutely will not lead to efficiency,” Michael D. Patterson, DO, told colleagues.
Patterson, who practices in rural Tennessee, added that being a fully contributing member of the team allows his practice to run efficiently.
“Learn to help your staff. Help your staff turn over the room. There’s no reason for you to go out on your cell phone and talk to your friend or buddy and tell them you did a cool 2 minute and 47 second cataract. No one cares. Help your staff,” he said.
Another tip is to prepare for the next case during the current case, according to Patterson. That could include prepping supplies and having them ready to go for the next surgery.
“You obviously can’t open the sterile supplies, but you have it sitting there,” he said.
He also believes that having fewer tools and gadgets makes surgery more efficient, especially in smaller or rural practices where “less is more.”
“You don’t need 35 utensils on every tray,” Patterson said. “You don’t have to have every gadget to do great surgery. ... In fact, you can’t have every gadget.”
Finally, setting an example and leading the staff, as well as mentally preparing for each day, can ensure efficiency in practice.
“Keep yourself laser focused,” Patterson said. “This is important. We’re taking care of people’s families. We’re taking care of our friends. If you’re going to do efficient care, you have to be mentally prepared.” – by Rebecca L. Forand
Reference: Patterson MD. Tips on balancing volume and quality patient care. Presented at: Cataract Surgery: Telling It Like It Is; Feb. 12-16, 2020; Orlando.
Disclosure: Patterson reports no relevant financial disclosures.