Education is the answer, not a quick fix

Take a good hard look at your facility and the issues you contend with every day. From employee issues to budget constraints, from patient issues to growing (or downsizing) pains, every problem can be solved—even avoided in the first place—with education. 

In our human condition, we tend to opt for the quick fix; we address the symptom, not the problem. You know what I mean. How many challenges do we have in our personal lives that we allow to persist by looking for the quick fix rather than stepping back and looking at the root of the issue? For instance, we are stressed and have a screaming headache. What do we do? We reach for the pain reliever. But by learning stress reduction techniques, we can eliminate future headaches as well. This is a simple example, but it really illustrates the value and efficacy of education.

The Problem's the Root, not the Fruit

Ultimately, we can chase our proverbial tails by focusing on the symptoms or ‘fruit' of an issue, or we can eliminate the issue at the root. The answer is always education, and the same rule applies in your facility. Employees who know what to do tend to be efficient; employees who are educated as to why they must do a specific task a certain way become effective. Those who know the repercussions of their actions are happier, more compliant, and able to do a better job.

Think about the liability issues a facility faces. Regulators impose requirements for mandatory trainings that must be taught every year. These requirements are designed to ensure a minimum standard of patient care, but the results of a robust education program go much farther than just the minimum. When employees are educated in every aspect of their job roles—including the consequences and ramifications of mistakes and a job poorly done—the effect trickles down and translates into less risk, less liability, and reduced costs. 

The bottom line? Education is directly linked to increased compliance, increased quality of patient care, and increased profitability. In other words, education is the answer, not just a quick fix!

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