Software Can Mitigate Hospice Scheduling Challenges

Hospice agencies provide an invaluable service to patients and families by delivering patient-centered care, psychological and spiritual support, and family support. Thanks to the tireless efforts of those who work in hospice care, patients have better quality of life and patients and their families can make the most of their time together. That said, hospice agencies face a number of challenges, many of which revolve around hospice scheduling and employee turnover.
 
According to the 2022 Home Health and Hospice Study, 6 in 10 hospice agencies report an employee turnover rate of 16% to 20%. In employee surveys, burnout was listed as the primary reason for turnover, followed by compensation, few growth opportunities, and lack of flexibility. In addition, the study found that only 48% of hospice agencies leverage technology for scheduling.

Challenges of Hospice Scheduling

Hospice staff scheduling can be challenging due to a number of factors, including:

• The unpredictable nature of hospice care. Hospice patients can experience a wide range of symptoms and needs, which can make it difficult to predict how much staff time will be required.
• The need for continuity of care. Hospice patients often rely on a team of caregivers, and it is important to ensure that they have access to the same caregivers on a consistent basis.
• Balancing the needs of patients and staff. Hospice staff need to be available to provide care to patients, but in order to avoid burnout they also need time to decompress.
• The need to comply with regulations. Hospice providers are subject to a number of regulations that can impact scheduling decisions.

However, hospice scheduling software can help address these challenges by:

• Creating and managing schedules. Scheduling software can automate the process of creating and managing schedules, freeing up administrative staff to focus on other tasks.
• Tracking compliance with regulations. Scheduling software can help hospice providers comply with regulations related to staffing, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• Providing real-time updates. Scheduling software can provide real-time updates to schedules, ensuring that everyone involved knows who is working and when.
• Improving communication. Scheduling software can improve communication among staff members, making it easier to coordinate care for patients.
• Reducing stress and burnout. Scheduling software can help reduce stress and burnout among staff by providing them with fair and equitable schedules.

Hospice scheduling software can be a valuable tool for hospice agencies that are looking to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their staff scheduling process. The benefits of using hospice staff scheduling software include:

• Increased efficiency. Scheduling software can automate many of the tasks involved in staff scheduling, freeing up staff to focus on other duties.
• Improved accuracy. Scheduling software can help to ensure that schedules are accurate and up-to-date, which can help to prevent errors and ensure that patients receive the care they need when they need it.
• Reduced costs. Scheduling software can help to reduce costs by automating tasks and improving efficiency.
• Increased satisfaction. Scheduling software can help to improve staff satisfaction, thus decreasing both burnout and turnover rates.

Adopting hospice scheduling software is key to streamlining communication and creating efficiencies that benefit both the hospice agency and the hospice staff.
 
MDsyncNET’s cloud-based hospice scheduling software delivers four advantages: low set-up fees, simple to learn, a single source of truth, and painless scheduling swaps. Call 888-506-5061 to see how MDsyncNET can help you streamline your hospice agency’s scheduling.