The Sterile Processing Department is an integral—yet often overlooked—cog in the well-oiled machine that is your hospital. However, what happens when this department experiences breakdowns in operational efficiency and quality? The quality of the entire hospital is put at risk: SSI rates may rise, surgeons may become disgruntled when case carts and/or instruments are not correct, and patient satisfaction scores may ultimately decrease.

If you’re considering putting a growth plan into place, you’re probably wondering where to begin. Growth plans are most successful when they are strategically focused, meaning you will want to zero in on a few key areas. In this article, we will help you kick-start your plans for growth with tips that will help you develop your plans from a marketing perspective, as well as provide a link to additional marketing tips and physician recruitment strategies to support growth.

The purpose of any medical facility is to serve patients’ needs. To do this, it is necessary for the facility’s design to support the functions and operations of the organization it houses. If your space needs improvements, creating and implementing a Master Facility Plan (MFP) can help you bring your space back up to par in terms of operational efficiency, but it can also be a daunting process. It may be tempting to simplify the process as much as possible by simply designing a building, but it is important not to miss the opportunity to take advantage of making operational improvements through facility planning.

While you have probably considered that you will need some architectural assistance for the construction and/or remodeling pieces, have you thought about who can assist you in determining what the priorities should be for your space? Where are your pain points and breakdowns in your systems, and how can you remedy them through your Master Facility Plan? A partner can help you answer these questions.

Projections show continued growth in Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) patient volumes with the aging populations. To accommodate these patients, you may have heard that some hospitals and health systems are moving hospital-based unit IRFs to free standing IRFs.

Should you invest in this service?