Unit-based team concepts

• Looking for less expensive options, like switching from primary tubing to secondary tubing
• Using secondary instead of primary tubing for IV patients, whenever it is medically safe
• Working through the change so everyone on the team understands and adapts

What can your team do to make sure it's using the right supplies for the job? What else could your team do to keep KP affordable for patients and members?

• Creating ID system for new members, such as highly visible yellow stickers on member cards
• Training staff and doctors about the importance of new members and how to make them feel welcome
• Making outreach calls for the new member's first appointment

What can your team do to welcome new members to KP? 

• Assessing on-hand pharmaceutical supplies for need
• Working with providers to reduce cost and amount of needed drugs
• Reducing number of on-hand meds

What can your team do to order and use supplies wisely? What else could your team do to help keep KP affordable for members and patients?

• Developing stretching routines that target large muscle groups and various joint areas
• Adding stretch routines that help lifting, pulling, pushing and twisting to daily 7 a.m. huddles
• Discussing workplace safety at every morning huddle and encouraging full participation

What can your team do to prevent injuries? 

• Reviewing upcoming ultrasound appointments to schedule reminder calls
• Dividing call duties among different assigned staffers to ensure privacy
• Calling a day in advance of appointments to discuss patient instructions

What can your team do to reach out to patients? And how could your team work with other teams to improve service? 

• Assigning a point person to work with physicians and departments to ensure patients have the needed lab orders
• Coordinating efforts across the multiple departments that engage in a patient's treatment
• Assigning a backup assistant to ensure the point duties are covered

What can your team do to identify where things "fall through the cracks"? What else could your team do to put the patient at the center? 

• Standardizing note-taking styles across the team
• Assigning a financial counselor to each in-need patient
• Working with Admitting Department to identify patients who need assistance and provide counseling

What can your team do to reduce unneeded variation? And what can your team do to work with other teams to improve service? 

• Involving the entire team in the promotion to sign up members to kp.org
• Posting signs at every location to encourage registration, and speaking with patients during appointments
• Speaking directly with members to tout the benefits of kp.org

What can your team do to encourage patients and members to sign up on kp.org?

• Following the successful practice of another team that solved the same problem
• Offering kid-friendly food like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
• Creating restaurant style menus with imagery of zoo animals

What can your team do to listen to the voice of the patient? And how could your team learn from other teams that have tackled challenges similar to yours?

• Creating computer spreadsheet to track inventory and order supplies
• Labeling shelves and supplies more clearly to reduce clutter
• Eliminating hoarding and rarely used supplies, and consolidating orders

What can your team do to harness the power of technology? What else could your team do to centralize information that is scattered?