Transcript Document
Overview of RHM SOP Project
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Outline of Discussion
Provide an overview of the RHM SOP project Define SOP, standard work (policy vs. procedure) Understand the importance of SOPs and standard work Introduce the RHM standard template for SOPs Understand how to develop a SOP Understand your role, expectations, deliverables, etc. as part of the RHM SOP project
Objectives of RHM SOP Project
Improve consistency within branches and across the entire company Instill operational discipline Build process literacy throughout the organization Formalize all core process at branch level and company-wide Build a central resource of RHM SOPs and policies and procedures
RHM SOP Standardization Project Educational webinar - project kick-off –
entire project team
August 2014 I.D. core processes I.D. core processes Germantown respiratory Identify all core processes 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Identify all existing core processes in each area Ensure actual practice matches what is written Edit existing SOP s as needed (if not current/accurate) Identify process that do not currently have a SOP Use standardized template to create draft SOP Develop initial SOP drafts
First few SOP drafts to be reviewed by President
Begin to build SOP “catalog” on Sharepoint Germantown warehouse
(operations)
Two phases- phase 1 for SOPs and Phase 2 for policies Provide examples of completed SOPs to teams/branches – replicate SOPs company-wide Use completed examples as models for continued SOP development by teams throughout RHM Build RHM SOP and P&P online catalog
Sequence of Key Tasks
Two teams – operations (WH) and respiratory to work with Giles and Ann and identify all core process in their respective areas (title, function) Initial training/guidance provided to teams Each teams to develop 2-3 SOPs Completed SOPs to be reviewed/approved (leadership, branch managers) Involve other staff in developing THEIR SOPs
Sequence of Events (cont.)
Teams to identify: −
Which processes do not have a SOP
−
Which process have outdated a SOP but SOP is
−
Which process are formalized with a SOP BUT performance/behavior of staff does not align with current SOP
Project Timeline
6-12 months to complete ALL core processes Need to complete at least 3 processes per month We are essentially recording/documenting, and cataloging our processes Will then complete relevant policies that correspond to SOP as appropriate
Consistent Terminology
1.
Process 2.
Policy 3.
SOP (standard operating procedure) aka “procedure” 3.
Standard work
1. Processes
The specific tasks and activities that have to be carried out
Processes and Daily Work
Nearly everything we do is part of a process The entire company is made up of a series of processes Typical to have at least 10-15 core processes in a HME operation/branch
(intake, documentation, confirmation, on-call, delivery, co-pay, scheduling, dispatch, etc.)
Many more “sub-processes”
Typical Processes
Warehouse
Receiving Inventory management Shipping Equipment management Warehouse housekeeping
Respiratory
Scheduling Intake Confirmation Patient care (set-ups) PAP compliance
2. Policy
What
Guidelines or “laws” that drive the processes and procedures – usually stated in more general terms (less detailed). Often describes the “why”
Example – co-pay policy :
we will collect co-payments for all transactions at the point of service or prior to providing service Why: patient payment amounts represent an increasingly lager part of our A/R – helps to improve financial performance if we collect in a timely, consistent manner
3. Procedures
How The
detailed steps required to perform an activity within a process – how we “operationalize” the policy
Standard Operating Procedure
Procedures
Define the specific instructions necessary to perform a task or part of a Process Procedures can take the form of: -
A work instruction
-
A quick reference guide SOP – standard operating procedure
Standard Operating Procedure
RHM will deploy up-to-date and accurate SOPs Will implement across the entire company Will use a standard SOP template
SOPs = standard operating procedure Also referred to as Operational Policy Guide
Operational Policy Guide TEMPLATE 1. Title
What is the name of this procedure or specific key activity?
2. Vital Behaviors and Performance Expectations
Vital behaviors
– describe the actual behaviors you expect people to exhibit – what they are supposed to do
Performance expectations
– describe the things that you would like to have measured
3. Purpose (Why)
Why are the behaviors important? How do they impact the revenue cycle? Make sure people can “ see ” what they impact.
4. Operational Definitions
Timely, faster, better, accurate:
All words have to be combined with numbers – what “ timely ” for example, don and consistent means in terms of numbers ’ t just say “ be on time ” or be consistent – define
4. Monitoring Method
What methods/mechanisms do leaders use to ensure adherence to established procedures? Are there specific reports they should be reviewing?
Operational Policy Guide 1.
Title
2. Co-insurance/Co-pay/Non-covered Service Payment Collection
Vital Behaviors and Performance Expectations
All staff having patient contact regarding an order will collect from the patient or patient’s representative the co-insurance, co-pay or payment for non-covered equipment, supplies and services at the time the order is placed or the delivery is made.
Notify patient or patient’s representative of their cost for the equipment, supplies or service being requested. Document discussion of financial obligation in the Order screen in HMA. Ask for payment by credit/debit card for all telephone orders. Always collect payment from the patient via cash, check or credit card in the Showroom and Repair Service departments. For inpatients at hospitals and other facilities, make best effort to secure payment prior to delivery at the hospital. Print the amount to be collected on the Delivery Ticket when a credit card payment is not obtained over the telephone.
Delivery Technicians, Service Technicians, Respiratory Therapists and other Delivery personnel should not leave a product with the patient without collecting the amount due indicated on the Delivery Ticket.
Exceptions
: Supervisor or Branch Manager approval must be obtained and noted on the Delivery Ticket. Delivery department Supervisor must log the amount to be collected on the Delivery Technician Route sheet and confirm that the payments have been collected when the Delivery Technician turns in the Delivery Tickets.
Print and reconcile the RHM Daily Transmittal Reconciliation report of confirmed tickets and payments daily.
Settle all credit card terminals and online payments daily.
Deposit all checks and cash in the bank daily.
3.
Purpose (Why)
Timely and consistent payment collection is a vital part of managing and reducing the outstanding Accounts Receivable balances and reduces the number of days sales outstanding (dso) in the revenue cycle. Collecting payments at the time the product and/or service is provided eliminates the additional labor and material costs associated with invoicing and collections activities. The company goal is to provide products and services and be paid for them as soon as possible.
Operational Policy Guide
1.
Title
2.
Service Standard Expectation for Delivery Tickets Vital Behaviors and Performance Expectations
Delivery Ticket confirmation is an important part of the revenue cycle Billing Staff. – consistent delivery ticket confirmation is required to ensure a smoother flow and more even distribution of delivery tickets for delivery ticket release and to allow sufficient time for post-confirmation required tasks performed by the An influx of confirmed tickets at End-Of-Month (EOM) creates large batches of tickets and heavy EOM workloads for billing staff. Suspend amount also increases and fluctuates, based on confirmation patterns and payors’ responses to HIVC inquiries.
3.
Operational Definitions
Timely:
Deliver Technicians (Drivers) are expected to delivery all signed delivery tickets, as soon as their runs are completed or by Monday mornings, before payroll is submitted. Delivery tickets are confirmed the same day they are brought in. Confirmation “cut-off” time for EOM process day will be no later than 72 hours after the monthly inventory is completed, prior to finalization of the P & L.
Consistent:
Ticket confirmation is performed daily by Warehouse/Supply Technicians. Warehouse/Supply Technicians will reinforce process to Delivery Technicans that it is the requirement that they adhere to time expectations Staff performs revenue-related tasks daily (processing drug cards, obtaining Rx, CMNs, etc.) and do not ramp up effort at EOM. 5.
Monitoring Method
HIVC Billing Supervisor will monitor all delivery ticket processing, including assurance that Warehouse/Supply Techs and Delivery Techs are compliant. HIVC Billing Supervisor will create an EOM report for those tickets not billed, due to missing authorizations, with reason(s) stated. This report will also be monitored by the Director of Reimbursement
Standard Work
Different people working in the same process, doing the same things, doing the work in a similar manner Key components include trust, fairness, values, and respect - i.e. how people like to be treated by others, both at work and outside of work
Why It Matters
All of our work is carried out through a series of processes Processes need to be formalized, documented, standardized, communicated, and monitored Critical part of financial vitality
Breaking Down the Work
Work (processes) can be broken down into three basic steps:
Important steps
Key points about each step within the process
Reasons for each step (the “why”)
Setting the Stage
Different people approaching similar work in a similar manner Standard work: –
We “say” what we do
–
Leaders make sure we do what we say
Accountability
Leaders ensure that we adhere to SOPs and standard work Accountability is key You can’t really hold people accountable – you can only hold them accountable to “something”
Standard work is an agreed-upon set of work procedures that establish the
most reliable
methods and sequences for each process and each worker
Standard Work
– The Foundation
Without standard work, continuous improvement activities are not manageable Difficult to improve a process that is random and informal
Presence of Standard Work
Content, sequence, timing, outcome Role clarification – no guessing Key to reducing
variation
in processes
Errors
Variation = Waste
Rework Duplication Excessive delays and waiting Handoffs, workarounds
Reducing the “Four Cs”
Standard work and waste awareness can help reduce: –
Confusion
–
Chaos
–
Complexity
–
Conflict
Critical Success Factors
Who –
clarifying roles
What –
steps, tasks
When –
sequence
How –
the methods and approach
Why
Process START
Via fax, phone call, e-mail
Referral/order received Confirmation sent to referral that order has been receieved
Confirm via e-mail, page, fax, phone
If order is a “go”, file is created Check same or similar HME Intake/Customer Service Model Referral/order entered into tracking log received
Check /verify any secondary coverage
Verify coverage and eligibility
Does patient reside in service area? Is there a payor/ contract issue?
Do you have a valid Rx with all required elements?
Initial review for acceptance Print forms (EOB, EOC, etc.) Rx reviewed New order is checked (Q/A) prior to contacting patient
Initial data-entry – demographics, payer, referral, order type
Order is entered into system
(within 60 minutes of referral receipt) Note: ALL orders are entered into the system for tracking purposes and marketing opportunities Goal: Zero “no-gos” Due to lack of inventory
Verify inventory availability Complete and send CMN Complete and send CMN
Inform patient of co-pay, cost, status of order, etc
Contact patient Print ticket for delivery/ship Process STOP 1. What is the level of performance at key parts of the intake process? 2. What metrics/methods do you use to monitor/measure performance? Performance Expectations - Intake staff process 10-15 orders each per day - 100% referral confirmation - 100% tracking log entry - All orders entered into system within 60 minutes - 100% complete & accurate at Q/A step - Zero “No-Go” orders due to lack of inventory - 100% check for Same/Similar - Daily reconcile of tracking log with orders entered
Intake Checklist 1. Process Receipt of Referral : (fax, e-mail, phone, walk-in) Name Address Phone number DOB HT, WT Emergency contact Employer Diagnosis Social security number Drug allergies Advanced directives ___Yes ___No 2. Process Rx: Diagnosis noted on Rx Equipment/supplies noted on Rx Equipment/supplies appropriate for diagnosis Oxygen Rx – elements of O 2 Rx complete Proper signature 3. Process Insurance: Verify eligibility of primary Secondary payer? Determine deductible/co-pay amount Inform of co-pay amount 4. Prepare Documents: Print required forms Print educations material Estimate of Patient Cost
Job Breakdown Instruction Sheet Job Breakdown Sheet:
Daily Hospital Visits
Unit:
Hospitalists Important Steps Step #1 The Welcome Sit down My name is (AIDET) Key Points Reasons You are not rushed and you have time for the patient Knows who you are
The patient needs to be given hope and wants to be healed
My connection with your referring doc is……..
I have reviewed your information and know how to care for you Here is what I am going to do and why Step #2 The Care Here are the next steps
The patient needs to feel safe and in control
Ask if patient understands the plan Ask for patient’s needs Knows that there is continuity in care Knows that you have the knowledge to make the right and safe decisions Step # 3 The Goodbye
A Few Tips and Key Points
Some processes will be the same/similar for every location (intake, WH, resp. confirmation, co-co-pay collection, etc.) Some processes may be more branch-specific Will focus first on common processes Branch managers will review completed WH & resp. processes to ensure they “fit” their operation Many of your processes may already be formalized – just need to convert them using the new template
Expected Outcomes
Will end up with a central collection of SOPs that apply to all branches Branches may also have a few SOPs that are more applicable to their operation (branch-specific) Will also have a central collection of updated policies that apply to entire company Objective is to increase understanding and formalization of all processes Promote consistency and maintain operational discipline
Tools & Resources
SOP Template Sample SOP (Orders) Sample SOP (Co-pay collection) Job Breakdown Worksheet Note: Click Here to access the samples and templates
More details and guidance will be provided within the next few days