Multi-specialty hospitals offer a whole array of medical services to patients under a single roof. There are numerous departments in such a healthcare facility. Multi-specialty hospitals provide excellence in care with convenience. Patients receive an umbrella of excellent healthcare facilities without having to run from place to place. However, in these times of economic uncertainty, it is sensible to outsource some services to dependable associates to stay viable and profitable in the long run.  If you agree with this, read on.  

Advantages of outsourcing some departments 

1. Space optimization 

The cost of real estate is at a record high. The need is to utilize every square inch available, if you outsource certain functions, you can use your space effectively for more profitable core functions.  

2. Reduction of liability 

Some departments do not garner any profits for a long time. If these are outsourced, you can divert funds to more profit-making services.  

3. Reduction of recruitment headaches 

If you outsource certain functions, you can do away with the recruitment, training, and retainment exercises of employees who are specialized for that function. E.g., if you outsource laboratory services, you need not employ skilled technicians, pathologists, and phlebotomists. 

4. Opportunity to get the best talent without actually employing them 

if you partner with a reliable and reputable associate for a particular function, you can leverage their expertise and get the benefits of a highly qualified and trained allied workforce without actually recruiting or retaining them. E.g., If you outsource your diagnostic center to a partner, your patients can avail of the opinion of their radiologists and USG specialists without your direct involvement. 

Which departments can be outsourced 

1. Trauma center or Emergency department 

Operating a trauma center is a difficult job. It necessitates the recruitment of a specialized workforce, a team of trauma specialists who have the technical skills plus the will to work under a lot of pressure. It also requires an array of emergency equipment like portable X-ray machines, oxygen cylinders, ventilators, atrial defibrillators, etc. Other necessities like ambulance services, stretchers, and emergency parking facilities have to be available. If you feel that your hospital may not be able to organize all these, the emergency department service can be outsourced to a reliable agency. 

2. Laboratory services 

Diagnosis and detection and its consequent management require laboratory services. A laboratory requires a ton of medical equipment, delegated space, a sterile environment, highly skilled technicians and pathologists, periodic quality assessments, report printing, etc.  

 If you have space and infrastructure constraints, out-lease this service to a reputed laboratory chain. You will not only save on space, infrastructure, and recruitment costs; you will also be able to access specialized technology and advanced testing services of the laboratory with little or no liability.  

3. Diagnostic centres 

Hospitals require diagnostic screening of many types. Medical equipment like MRI machines, X-ray machines, and CT machines are expensive. They have to be connected to electrical circuits. Special construction requirements like reinforced floors and sound-proofed walls have to be constructed for them. Their operation requires skilled technicians, and the interpretation of results requires radiologists. Periodic maintenance and upgradation are also a must. You will have to inevitably train technicians and operators for this complex equipment and set a quality protocol for them.  

If you have space and cost constraints, this service can be outsourced to a trustworthy diagnostic center so that you get reports speedily without having to invest capital.  

4. Pharmacy  

Most big hospitals have a chemist shop within their premises to make the availability of medicines convenient for patients. You can outsource this service to a dependable pharmacy chain. This will give convenience to your patients and cut down the liabilities of investment in a surfeit of drugs, expiry headaches, breakages, recruitment of trained pharmacists, etc. 

5. Blood bank  

Blood is a lifesaver. Hospitals face a continuous demand for blood. Hospitals usually have blood banks that maintain an inventory for each blood group. Maintaining a blood bank entails multiple license approvals and screening. Outsource this responsibility by associating with reliable blood banks in the vicinity. 

6. Housekeeping  

Maintaining a clean and neat environment is a must in a hospital because hospitals can be hubs of infection. The housekeeping department is responsible for maintaining sanitation and sterilization in a hospital. This service can be outsourced to agencies to save on recruitment, training, and incentive costs.  

7. Laundry services 

In a hospital piles of bed linen, aprons, and hospital gowns have to be cleaned and sterilized daily. This service can be easily outsourced to save energy bills and space in laundry rooms. 

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8. Security services 

A hospital has to be a haven of safety for your patients and needs security services. This can be outsourced to reliable agencies instead of employing in-house security guards.  

 9. Canteen services 

Every hospital has to have a canteen or a mess to provide meals to patients, doctors, visitors, and staff.  If you want to run your canteen, it will involve a designated space allocation for the pantry and for the dining room. You will have to make provision for gas pipelines or cylinders, stoves, microwaves, cutlery, storage cabinets,  and a plethora of food ingredients, Inventory control of edible items will have to be kept. You will have to employ cooks, cleaners and waiting staff. You will have to carry out periodic quality checks and fire safety  

monitoring. This will involve a lot of investment and effort, instead of which you can outsource your cuisine services to a reputable catering agency.  

10. Administration  

A hospital generates a big heap of paperwork. An administrative department is a must for appointment, record upkeep, bill payment and collection, and uncountable clerical work This task can be outsourced to agencies who can set up and operate hospital information systems.  

If you feel that incorporating every department from administration to blood bank will put a strain on your space and your efficiency and stretch your budget, it is better to outsource some facilities to experienced players in that sphere so that you are free to focus on your core expertise. This designation can ensure that you offer gold-standard services even in your non-core areas. If you need any help in outsourcing, be sure to contact Hospertz, a leading healthcare consultancy firm in India.   

The blog has been written by Dr. Vishal Jadhav, a veteran in the field of hospital consultancy with rich experience of more than 20 years and founder of the Healthcare Consultancy Firm, Hospertz.

Dr. Vishal Jadhav, Director

Linkedin: Dr Vishal Jadhav
hospertz@gmail.com
+91 9867712705/ 9820833149