How to Achieve Hospital On-call Scheduling Transparency and Flexibility

In part 1 of this blog series introducing hospital on-call physician scheduling software, I wrote about the importance of having a robust policy — one that outlines obligations, scheduling timelines, presence requirements, processes for making updates, consequences for non-compliance, and much more. In this installment, I’d like to share two more tips I’ve learned from working with provider scheduling specialists throughout my 20-year career to enhance hospital on-call transparency and flexibility.

Build in Flexibility

Physician availability — or lack thereof — can really throw a wrench into the works. A doctor’s sudden family emergency, their own unexpected illness, or even a planned continuing education class can introduce chaos into an otherwise well-planned on-call schedule. For improved hospital on-call transparency, consider software with these attributes:

• Simplicity: An intuitive interface for making changes.
• Stakeholder-Centricity: Tools for updating stakeholders, such as the ability to send a 7-day schedule every morning with up-to-date contact information.
• Seamless Operability: Integration with electronic medical records (EMR) systems, credentialing solutions, and other software that requires little or no manual intervention from staff.
• Patient Retention: A proven record of reducing left-without-being-seen (LWBS) rates.
• Accessibility: A mobile app for your on-the-go doctors and support staff.

Ensure Transparency with Scheduling Changes

When an on-call schedule breaks down, a blame game sometimes ensues. A physician called in error may fault the caller or the physician scheduler. Or, the scheduler may claim not to have received a message about the change. Implementing notification procedures that clearly delineate responsibility helps ensure accurate schedules while ensuring staff satisfaction.

Schedule change requests aren’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. They are, by nature, exceptions. That said, the unique structure of each facility means you may tend to see some change request types appear more frequently than others. To help you determine what kind of software can help you achieve your hospital on-call transparency and flexibility goals, look back on your last few months of scheduling changes and ask yourself:

• What are the most common reasons for scheduling changes?
• How soon are administrators made aware of scheduling issues?
• Among the channels used to communicate change requests (email, SMS messages, EMR integrations, phone calls, voicemails, etc.), which is the most ideal?
• How many conflicts tend to arise after business hours?
• Would my organization benefit from a digital “paper trail” to ensure accountability?

Socializing questions like these within your organization not only helps you ensure all scenarios are covered, but having a list of “What happens if…” scenarios can also help you have productive conversations as you learn about options for hospital on-call physician scheduling software.

Learn More

This blog includes excerpts from our recently published e-book, 5 Tips for Meeting On-Call Physician Demand. In it, you’ll find best practices informed by healthcare professionals from across the U.S. for maximizing today’s advanced hospital on-call scheduling software and developing a strategy that works best for your practice and market.

Stay tuned for part 3 for a discussion on how to ensure that your approach to scheduling is equitable and fair, as well as tips for making the most of today’s technology to reduce manual processes.

*Brad Goldsmith is a serial entrepreneur and the CEO of MDsyncNET.

For over 20 years, MDsyncNET has been at the forefront of providing real-time on-call physician scheduling software designed to enhance hospital on-call transparency, flexibility, and efficiency. Our cloud-based solution ensures accurate schedules, reduces left-without-being-seen rates, and boosts physician satisfaction by eliminating unnecessary calls to the wrong provider.