OSE_1303_part1_Layout 1 3/8/13 10:06 AM Page 30
STAFFING
result: The staff started working as a team, room turnover times
decreased from an average of 45 minutes to under 10 minutes, and
everyone was happier.
4
Stay vigilant
A small investment of time and the availability of a willing ear
are sometimes all it takes to keep discord from building throughout
the facility. If someone seems stressed, I'll just say, "Hey, stop by my
office when you have a chance." Then I'll approach them as a friend:
"I noticed you were distracted or seemed really on edge today.
Anything going on I can help with?" Even people who aren't "talkers"
like having the option to discuss whatever's bothering them. If the tension is coming from the staff as a whole — I find this happens particularly in the run-up to the holidays — I'll schedule something extra for
fun, such as a bake-off. OSM
Ms. Waters (lwaters@columb iaeyeclinic.com) is the chief
operating officer of Columbia (S.C.) Eye Surgery Center.
3 0
O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | M A R C H 2013
