We Know Operational Savings in Healthcare

Healthcare is currently in the throes of unpredictability. An ever-increasing volume of sick patients, even fiercer competition, a shortage of labor, the rising cost of getting that labor as well as supplies, is impacting healthcare systems’ overhead expenses at an unsustainable rate. 

• Although hospital revenue saw an upswing in the last quarter of 2021, growing expenses offset gains for many hospitals (Becker’s Hospital CFO Report 2022)
• Estimated spending on hospital administrative functions topped $950 Billion in 2020 (McKinsey & Company 2021)
• Hospitals and healthcare systems are now paying $24 Billion more per year for clinical labor than pre-pandemic (Premier 2021)

Making matters more difficult is the fragile balance between controlling costs and delivering positive patient outcomes. Simply reducing spend in areas like staff, equipment, and supplies can hinder a hospital’s ability to deliver an excellent patient experience and, ultimately, the funding that comes with it.

So where can you realize meaningful savings within a healthcare foodservice operation while continuing to prioritize the health and recovery of your patients? The answer is a holistic approach that strategically aims to affect cumulative incremental savings across many areas versus trying to realize huge savings from just one.

Reducing Overhead and Labor Costs

In this multi-pronged approach to realizing meaningful operational savings, the obvious starting point is taking a hard look at ways to trim your overhead expenses and labor costs without negatively impacting the patient experience and outcomes. We offer these five tips for getting that done:

 

Tip #2: Keep It Simple

Products designed with simplicity in mind are easier to use, resulting in less training and much more productivity for your team members. That adds real value, empowers your associates, and leads to much less frustration.  And that has a direct positive impact on your cost of labor.

Learn more about our POD: Point of Delivery Systems

 

Tip #4: Realize Purchasing Power

Work with an integrated one-stop, total solutions provider to realize better pricing and more for less while lowering order minimums, reducing excess product, and the advantage of maintaining less inventory on hand.

Learn more about our Dinex® Fenwick Tumblers in 6 oz, 9 oz and 12 oz

 

Reducing Unnecessary Waste

Waste, across the board, is an operational cost killer. And although food waste, via spoilage and prep, are the biggest culprits, there are other areas across your healthcare operation where waste is hurting your bottom line.

 

Tip #2: Get the Right Equipment 

Products that work more efficiently help save you money. So do products designed to run for the long-haul boasting gentle, low-impact action for enhanced durability, less maintenance, less breakage, longer intervals between replacement, and perfect portions.

Learn more about our Totally Quiet Compact Carts and our new options DXPTQCDISPENSER and DXPTQCSHELF

 

Tip #4: Be Toxicity Free 

Use products that are free of any toxic materials — like BPA-free options that meet NSF standards — that could cost you in a variety of ways down the road.

Learn more about our Dinex® White 9" Entree Plate

 

Embracing Sustainability

With climate change never more front and center, sustainability continues to be of utmost importance to patients, aligning with a “healing without harm” industry mission, and spurring healthcare foodservice operators to actively reduce, reuse, and recycle to minimize their impact on the environment.

 

Tip #2: Employ Creative Ways to Reuse Existing Material 

Find new ways to repurpose things that otherwise would have been thrown out such as reusing scrap materials or production mistakes to save on resources and expenses.

Learn more about our Turnbury Mug Reusable Lids and Bowl Reusable Lids

 

Adopting More Economical Solutions

Adopting a more economical approach to your operations doesn’t mean buying your solutions on the cheap. It means demanding the kind of quality, commercial-grade products that give you maximum value and allow you to get the maximum amount of work done. And that positively impacts your bottom line.

 

Tip #2: Buy for the Long Haul 

Minimize premature loss and replacement costs by investing in the kinds of products and solutions designed to last — and work — much longer.

Learn more about our 16" x 16" Cutlery Caddy with Napkin

 

Tip #4: Take a Practical Approach 

Reach beyond the theoretical to leverage tried and true methods that work effectively in the field. Like color coded products that offer a broad range of function and many substantive advantages. 

Learn more about our Clear 10 oz Square Bowls

 

Tip #1: Embrace Technology

Whenever possible, tap innovative solutions that incorporate advanced technology that help your team do their jobs better and easier, increase their efficiency, help prevent mistakes, and minimize waste.

Learn more about our Smart•Therm Charger 208V 1PH

 

Tip #3: Seek an Active New Product Pipeline

Work with a manufacturer that listens to customer feedback and needs while anticipating future trends to fuel aggressive new product development.

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