CUSTOMER STORY
Ambulatory ER Facility Uses
Scheduling Technology to Improve Staff Engagement and Save Money
Background
Quality Care ER is dedicated to becoming the leader in delivering 24-hour emergency care in Paris, Texas, and the surrounding areas. Their emergency department is a free-standing emergency room not physically attached to a hospital. The Quality Care ER team provides full-service care for both major and minor injuries and illnesses.
24H
Emergency Care
Paris
Texas
Challenge
Quality Care ER was seeking a more cost-effective staff scheduling system.
Quality Care ER is a stand-alone emergency room facility located in Northeastern Texas. Finding success with this model of delivering emergency care, the organization is adding a second location. Staffing effectively is pivotal to Quality Care ER’s high level of patient satisfaction, and the right staff scheduling automation is an important part of their growth and ongoing success.
Going back to a manual system was not an option. Instead, the team was seeking a solution that had just as much or more functionality as their previous system, but at a better cost.
“Unfortunately, the previous staffing system was not delivering the value that the growing organization needed. We were using different software called Qgenda. We just weren’t getting a return on our investment.”
Taylor Slagle, RNClinical Director, Quality Care ER
Solution
Having worked with Inovalon’s Schedule ManagementTM in a previous position, Slagle knew the application makes it easy for nurses and support staff to engage in the scheduling process. After a demo confirmed how the app also provides the tools he needs to create and manage schedules, Slagle and the rest of the Quality Care ER team chose Schedule Management as the software that could deliver the high value they were looking for.
Results
An easier way to fill shifts, manage costs, and meet Quality Care ER’s growing staffing needs
The Quality Care ER team recognizes that effective staff scheduling is a balance between meeting patient care needs and managing costs, and they quickly found that the technology makes it easier to find that elusive balance.
For Slagle, who creates and manages schedules, the system has provided valuable time savings. “Using the system is very fast and very easy. I spend a lot less time looking at the schedule, so that’s one thing I can take off my to-do list,” he noted.
“Inovalon Schedule Management enables us to get the nurses and staff we need to deliver high-quality patient care while also giving us the ability to minimize overtime and protect our bottom line.”
Byron PrinceVice President, Quality Care ER
Easy Schedule Creation and Maintenance
At Quality Care ER, the full-time nurses have set schedules. Once those schedules are set in the Schedule Management system, the staff knows their schedule well into the future, providing them with much- appreciated predictability. PRN staff are also an important part of Quality Care ER’s staffing strategy, and there are plans to have a float pool that helps fill schedule gaps at both the existing and new facility. Many of them only pick up occasional shifts, so it’s important to be able to communicate with them effectively when they’re not onsite.
Inovalon’s software provides the tools Quality Care ER needs to keep it’s PRN staff engaged without a lot of phone calls or disruptive texting. Slagle explained, “The Inovalon Schedule Management mobile app has made it drastically easier to get staff scheduled. I can send out notifications about available shifts right in the app, and it is really simple for staff to pick up open shifts.”
Improved Labor Cost Containment
Managing labor costs starts with effective schedule creation. With clear visibility to staff availability and vacation requests, the schedule creation process is more accurate. “I can see which employees are taking vacation and block them off so I don’t accidentally schedule them and then get myself in a bind where I have to find last-minute coverage,” said Slagle.
Managing day-to-day staffing is also streamlined. Because the system provides full schedule transparency and ease of use, it only requires a quick daily routine to spot open shifts and find coverage, as well as view and approve time off requests and shift trades. These staffing and scheduling efficiencies make it easier to manage labor costs.
“Limiting overtime has been one of the biggest benefits of this system,” shared Slagle.
A Solution That is Growing With Quality Care ER
Part of Quality Care ER’s growth strategy is to mirror processes, systems and layouts across facilities. Their growth plan includes using Inovalon Schedule Management to create a float pool of staff that is shared between the current and new facility. Those economies of scale are crucial. Slagle explained, “We have a team who knows the whole system. So, it will be extremely efficient to use the same technology and processes for staffing and scheduling at both facilities.”
Experience Schedule Management for Yourself
Reduce overtime costs and empower your team with better scheduling. Schedule a demo to see how.
