IAHCSMM Survey for Managers and Supervisors

IAHCSMM’s “Supervision Principles” text and course have been used by healthcare managers and supervisors since 1997. Question: is it time to update this resource?

Total responses to date = 207. Answers were as follows:

 
 

Are you a Manager or Supervisor?

Manager: 138 (67%) Supervisor: 69 (33%)

How important is each of the following topics in the work that you do?
[Scale of Very Important (5) to Not Important (1)]

A. Writing Skills for Managers

  1. 0
  2. 6 (3%)
  3. 20 (10%)
  4. 58 (28%)
  5. 123 (59%)

B. Crisis Communication Skills

  1. 0
  2. 2 (1%)
  3. 11 (5%)
  4. 23 (11%)
  5. 141 (83%)


C. Marketing the Central Service Department

  1. 0
  2. 4 (2%)
  3. 31 (15%)
  4. 79 (38%)
  5. 93 (45%)


D. Improving Work Processes in Central Service

  1. 0
  2. 0
  3. 3 (2%)
  4. 28 (13%)
  5. 149 (85%)


E. Developing Policies and Procedures

  1. 0
  2. 0
  3. 7 (3%)
  4. 50 (24%)
  5. 126 (73%)


F. Interpreting National Guidelines and Federal/State Standards

  1. 0
  2. 1 (0%)
  3. 11 (5%)
  4. 61 (29%)
  5. 137 (66%)


G. Total Quality Management (Performance Improvement)

  1. 0
  2. 3 (2%)
  3. 10 (5%)
  4. 54 (26%)
  5. 1401 (67%)


H. ISO Standards for Managing Organizations

  1. 2 (1%)
  2. 9 (4%)
  3. 39 (19%)
  4. 82 (40%)
  5. 75 (36%)


I. Goal Setting and Accomplishment

  1. 0
  2. 1 (0%)
  3. 16 (8%)
  4. 70 (34%)
  5. 120 (58%)


J. Participating in committees with Facility Peers

  1. 0
  2. 3 (1%)
  3. 41 (20%)
  4. 70 (34%)
  5. 93 (45%)

What are the most significant management-related challenges that affect your work?

Day-to-Day

(Many responses included several topics, most-mentioned topics listed first with the amount after it)

  • Staffing (39)
  • Communication (26)
  • Quality and Process Improvement / Quality Assurance (25)
  • Education / Training (22)
  • Instrument / Tray issues / Case cart / Equipment (18)
  • Getting work accomplished / Time management (17)
  • Relationship/communication with OR Department (17)
  • Staff morale / Conflict between staff (16)
  • Human Resource issues (16)
  • Keeping people motivated (13)
  • Smooth working environment (8)
  • Budget (6)
  • Work processes / Managing workflow (5)
  • Goal setting / Task management (3)
  • Strategic management (3)
  • Patient and staff safety (3)
  • Absenteeism (3)
  • Compliance (3)
  • Efficiency initiatives (2)
  • Writing appraisals / Writing skills (2)
  • Competency (2) Overtime issues (2)
  • Union issues (2)

Single issues included the following:

  • FTE distribution and justification against work load
  • Salary not commensurate w/ level of expertise
  • Teambuilding
  • Performance improvement
  • Frustration with the lack of commitment
  • Odd requests from hospital staff, errors made by department staff,meetings.
  • The expectation from others of being an authority on all subjects
  • relating to sterile processing
  • Justifying FTE's
  • Certification
  • Keeping up with change
  • Supplies

What are the most significant management-related challenges that affect your work?

Long-Term

(Many responses included several topics, most-mentioned topics listed first with the amount after it)

  • Staffing (includes recruitment) (27)
  • Education/training (25)
  • Budgeting / Financial (23)
  • Process / Quality improvements / Efficiencies (21)
  • Approval / Acquisition of new equipment or services / Capital expenditures (14)
  • Continued Quality Improvement (12)
  • Retention of employees (11)
  • Keeping up with or Implementation of National or State Standards (11)
  • Keeping people motivated (11)
  • Keeping up with change in CS or Healthcare (10)
  • Recognition for department from others (9)
  • Certification of Techs (9)
  • Expansion / Space issues (8)
  • Writing Policies or Protocols (7)
  • Wages / Compensation (6)
  • Human resource issues (5)
  • Time issues (4)
  • Equipment / Instrumentation (4)
  • Strategic Management (3)
  • Scheduling (3)
  • Communication (2)
  • Union Issues (2)

Single issues included the following:

  • Mandate certification
  • Implementation of just in time resources
  • Environmental needs
  • Employee competency
  • Sterilization validation
  • Staying on top of marketing possibilities
  • Assignment of duties
  • Computerized SPD Management System
  • Teambuilding
  • Maintaining departmental viability
  • Decontamination
  • Managing inventory

Would you purchase a “Supervision Principles” resource if it provided timely and practical information at a fair price?

Yes: 138 (94%)

No: 13 (6%)

 

Our thanks to all those who responded.  

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