The COVID-19 crisis has brought physicians and staff together like never before—disrupting historical silos, boundaries and divisions—all to meet patient needs. Physicians have been quickly privileged to work in different facilities, advanced practice providers (APPs) and nurses have been deployed across locations, and novel care settings have been set up to treat COVID patients and keep non-COVID patients safe.
As provider organizations prepare for a changed future—one which may include multiple surges to come— health systems must make it easier for medical staff to effectively deliver care across the system, without unnecessary barriers, bureaucracy, or costs. Doing so will not only maintain the advantages of flexibility for physicians and patients but also contribute to cost savings and revenue enhancement essential to rebuilding margins.
In this paper, we outline how four key components can help health systems increase agility, effectiveness, and cost-efficiency in their medical staff functions.
