In order to protect peoples’ lives, the healthcare industry needs to minimize distractions. The system as a whole is complex and ever-changing, and this is not inherently a bad thing, but far too often is it leaving people behind. The goal of healthcare is to make sure people are being taken care of in their most vulnerable state, but if organizations are prioritizing profits and administrative tasks over people, then something has to change. By investing in technology and resources that give employees more time in their day to actually practice care, the industry is better off. 

You might think a small distraction wouldn’t cause that much harm, but unfortunately that’s not the case. Studies have shown that more than 300,000 people die each year in the United States, and more than 400,000 become permanently disabled because they were misdiagnosed. These numbers show that patients deserve their doctors’ and nurses’ undivided attention, because things can sometimes fall through the cracks.

“Patient health is first and foremost, but sometimes it’s put on the backburner. There are so many times when doctors miss symptoms that could help them accurately diagnose patients, because they were buried in papers. This is not what the healthcare industry is, and when clinicians spend hours each day doing paperwork, patients’ health is at risk,” says DoorSpace CEO Sarah M. Worthy.

Healthcare leaders need to take responsibility and realign their values to become more people-centric. There is no reason administrative tasks should be handed off to those on the frontlines. Just because they are clocked in does not mean they should be filling their whole shifts with paperwork. Investing in technology is one way to lighten the workload, because nowadays it can automate tasks so things are done more efficiently. Even though it might feel like a huge cost upfront, the return on investment is greater because both employees and patients are being prioritized. 

“The solution is really simple. Healthcare executives need to invest in technology that takes a load off clinicians’ to-do lists. This not only makes record-keeping more efficient but more accurate, and gives frontline workers the time to do what they do best. When patient health is at risk, there needs to be immediate action taken, to provide them with the care they need to heal. Doctors doing admin tasks all day is not getting us anywhere,” Worthy says. 

Another way to minimize distractions in the workplace is to make sure that employees’ health is being taken care of. Burnout is a huge issue plaguing the industry today, and a lot of that is due to heavy workloads and long shifts. When clinicians are not feeling like their best selves, they can risk providing the highest quality of care to their patients. Whether employees are feeling bad physically or mentally, they deserve to be taken care of too, and it’s up to healthcare leaders to prioritize employee health for the benefit of everyone. 

Distractions in the workplace can cause problems personally and professionally. They can create chaos and issues, and when it comes to the healthcare industry it’s important to avoid that at all costs. Misdiagnoses are more common than people might think, and it should make healthcare systems worried. In order to accommodate and provide healthcare, leaders need to minimize distractions like paperwork and administrative tasks. People are being left behind, and it’s because employees are overwhelmed with heavy workloads. 

Investing in technology and investing in the health of its employees can make all the difference in the type of care patients receive. Frontline workers should not be doing every job available and instead need to focus on their patients day in and day out. The more patients have undivided attention, the more lives will be saved. 

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. It is not a substitute for consultation with qualified healthcare professionals. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, the author and publisher make no representations or warranties about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the content. Readers are advised to consult with licensed professionals regarding specific health or operational issues. Any actions taken based on the information provided in this article are at the reader’s own risk.

Published By: Aize Perez