Anesthesia Practice Consultants, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a large independent practice that provides anesthesia services to hospitals, surgical centers, and medical offices at 28 locations in west Michigan.
Challenges
Anesthesia Practice Consultants had moved from paper-based scheduling of its 140 physicians and 90 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants to an automated scheduling solution but found it lacking. The solution took an entire day to run the schedule and required ongoing oversight in case it stalled during the process.
Running a call report took hours, and the solution didn't interface smoothly with Anesthesia Practice Consultants' other software products. In addition, the practice's clinical providers found the solution difficult and cumbersome to use. Recognizing the solution's failings, the leadership team decided the practice needed a more efficient and user-friendly scheduling solution.
Solutions
Anesthesia Practice Consultants implemented the UKG® EZCall® solution to streamline daily scheduling of providers with the right skills at each location and to create equitable call schedules to reduce staff fatigue and enhance staff engagement and satisfaction.
"EZCall is a powerful, fantastic tool and has applications not just for anesthesia and the OR but across all healthcare and specialties," says Jack Dillon, MBA, MSHR, Executive Director. "I can't say enough good things about the pressure it takes off my plate and the plate of our schedulers by being a solid system we can rely on."
At a PC or through the solution's mobile app, staff members have visibility into the latest schedules and call assignments. They also can view their next-day assignments, enabling them to better prepare before they arrive at a location to work.
"EZCall is a powerful, fantastic tool and has applications not just for anesthesia and the OR but across all healthcare and specialties. I can't say enough good things about the pressure it takes off my plate and the plate of our schedulers by being a solid system we can rely on."
Jack Dillon, MBA, MSHR
Executive Director
Results
Anesthesia Practice Consultants has reduced the time spent creating the call schedule. The six to eight hours previously required to run and process a quarterly call schedule with the prior scheduling solution have been reduced to just 30 to 60 minutes with UKG EZCall.
The solution measures and reports on the quarterly call burden, enabling providers to see whether call assignments are equitable. More equitable assignments have reduced staff fatigue and burnout.
Providers are enthusiastic about their easy access to the solution through their PCs and the mobile app. Using the app, they can access their information from anywhere 24/7. They can view their schedules, request no-call and time off, and complete shift trades in the solution without scheduler involvement. The solution ensures that only staff with the right certifications can switch and fill open shifts.
As the practice adds additional staff, new hires are finding the solution fast and easy to learn and use.
