TIME MANAGEMENT
5 time management tips for healthcare professionals
1. ESTABLISH GOALS
“ When things get busy, the last thing you want to do is run
around like a chicken with its head cut off ”
• To establish goals and create a sense of purpose for your work week. Set
goals for 30, 60, and 90 days
• Write them down, and discuss them with your supervisor to gain additional
input
• Shedule a few moments at the beginning and end of each week to review
your goals, action items, and progress.
2. PRIORITIZE YOUR WORK DAY
“ It can be tough to hit the ground running when you arrive for work, but time spent
drinking coffee, wandering the halls, or checking Facebook is time wasted ”
• Write out the specific tasks you need to complete each day and the time
you need to complete
• Check your list as soon as you get to work and post it in a prominent
location
• Stay on track by checking your list often and adjusting it as needed
• ou’d be surprised how much you can complete when you keep yourself
accountable to a to-do list
The Problem Clinic
Learn to See Waste
• Defects rework: Repeating blood tests due to specimen mislabeling, medication errors
(wrong dosage)
• Overproduction: Ordering of X-ray everyday at ICU, mixing drugs in advance, hourly
monitoring of patient when not required, printing of sticky labels before patients’
admission
• Waiting: Doctor waiting for mobile X-ray at OT, waiting to be discharged, waiting for
bed assignments, waiting for treatment, waiting for diagnostic tests, waiting for approval,
waiting for supplies, waiting for doctor/nurse
• Not using staff talents: Supervisors giving solutions without discussing with staff, nurses
couriering routine samples to lab, nurses collecting medicines from pharmacy
Ex: Time management at NUS (Young Loo Lin-Medicine)
3. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TECHNOLOGY
• a software technology system designed to streamline
healthcare: optimizing practice management and organizing
health records
• a mobile app for patients that allows them to review records,
make appointments, and communicate with your staff
• The less time you spend juggling administrative paperwork and
phone calls, the more time you’ll have for patient care
4. DELEGATE WHEN POSSIBLE
• Don’t assume you can do it all on your own
• If there’s extra help available, use it: Medical assistants, administrative staff,
interns, and volunteers are there for a reason, so take advantage of their help
5. KNOW WHEN TO SAY NO
• Be realistic about your workload and only agree to take on projects or
patients if you have the time
• You may think you’re improving yourself and your career by taking on every
project that comes your way, but if you end up overwhelmed, no one
benefits
• Increased stress and decreased productivity aren’t goals you should strive
for, so carefully consider requests and know when to turn someone down
PRESENTATION:
▪ 10 groups
▪ Using PDSA technique to reduce time in
Emergency, OPD, IPD,....
▪ Each group have 12min to present
