Healthcare Efficiency

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Clause.  And yes, Shannon, you can find good healthcare.  But I want Xmas every day.  Why should healthcare be an adventure where you never know what's going to happen.  Healthcare should not be like opening presents--it should be predictable.  The first rule of quality is consistency.  Artemis March lists consistency as one of the three 'C's of Seamless Patient Care.  Doing well is not a mystery!  The NQF has published standards.  A few healthcare institutions have won Baldrige Awards.  Ask in a comment, and I'll send you my paper on doing things well in ambulatory surgery.  So, why doesn't it happen every time?  What does it take?  One key ingredient is the Hallmark principle:  You have to "care enough to do your very best."  Creating that culture in an organization requires leadership.  The profit motive helps, but it's not essential.  Interestingly, if you focus on profits, you'll likely miss everything else.  Aim for the bullseye, and you'll miss the target.  However, concentrate on providing excellent healthcare service, and you'll make money.  Unfortunately, this is not as true in healthcare as in other industries, partly because of misplaced competition.  But more on that another time.