Behavioral Health Operations Assessments Improve Safety, Quality, Compliance, Profit and Clinical Care

At Schafer Consulting, we use our experience to assess key aspects of your behavioral health operations. In turn, we use that information to develop and collaboratively implement the solutions that are right for your psychiatric service lline mental health and addiction treatment programs.

Our approach is collaborative, data-driven, and focused on your behavioral health program goals. We use both quantitative and qualitative tools, onsite visits, surveys, and relate these to field best practices.

We prepare and present an objective, detailed written report with findings and recommendations. Our team can also help implement recommended changes.

Behavioral Health Operations Assessments to Improve Safety, Quality, Compliance, Profit and Clinical Care

We prepare and present an objective, detailed written report with findings and recommendations. Our team can also help implement recommended changes.

What We Do

Schafer Consulting offers comprehensive operations assessments tailored to the requirements of behavioral health service lines. We also take into account the needs of organizations that provide one or more psychiatric or substance abuse treatment services.

By paying attention to our assessments, you can gain insight into how you can improve the efficiency and quality of services in your practice. We can also help you make smart choices to keep your hospital or medical facility operational.

Psychiatric Service Line Challenges

Each behavioral health organization can face a unique combination of challenges. At Schafer Consulting, you can count on us to assist you in tackling various issues such as the following:

High Patient Acuity
Financial Losses
Increasing Costs
Reimbursements
Productivity Issues
Hospital Competition
Regulations
Patient Safety Concerns
Compliance Issues
Emergency Department Boarding Problems
Low Patient Satisfaction

Our Assessment Process

Schafer Consulting employs a step-by-step approach to conducting operations assessments. In doing so, we can create solutions that are tailored to your specific needs.

On-Site Assessment and Key Metrics Review

Our company offers operations assessments for hospitals and health systems as well as psychiatric inpatient units, residential treatment centers, and outpatient clinics that provide behavioral health services. We meet with leadership teams, staff members, clinicians, and physicians onsite, and we conduct a detailed review of their key metrics.

We assess all aspects of an organization’s operations and provide a comprehensive report and management action plan (MAP) to guide your organization in enacting improvement measures. Each assessment is fully tailored to the needs of our clients. However, our services may involve several typical elements such as:

Comprehensive on-site evaluation of the current services including:

Service Access
Organization Structure
Volumes
Patient and Staff Safety

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Joint Commission, DNV Compliance
Payer Mix
Program Model and Quality

Analysis of staffing skill mix and productivity, including professionals and physicians with comparison to national benchmarks, metrics, and best practices
Assessment of operational workflows such as patient scheduling, intake, access, movement, and coordination between inpatient, outpatient, and emergency department throughput
Strategic positioning relative to market opportunities
Review of sentinel events, critical incidents, and licensing issues as well as quality management and improvement indicators and outcomes
Evaluation of program model relative to patient population, patient scheduling, clinical services, continuum of care, and care coordination structures
Best practice gap analysis comparing clinical and business metrics to national benchmarks and processes
Examination and review of key findings with executive management and identified staff
Development of a detailed MAP and sequence that provides a clear path of action for moving forward

Management Action Plan (MAP) for Performance Improvement

The Management Action Plan (MAP) is collaboratively developed based on the findings of the Operations Assessment. It prioritizes and sequence activities relative to recommended changes. The MAP summarizes what needs to be done, by whom, and when to make the necessary improvements.

Behavioral Health Operations Assessment Benefits

The operations assessment that we conduct is customized for use by your hospital, behavioral health clinic or practice. It includes a clear, independent, and professional evaluation of selected key aspects of your behavioral health services, which often results in:

Cost-Effective Service Delivery Efficiency and Quality
Optimal Organizational Structure
Reduced Operating Costs
Increased Average Daily Census and Outpatient Volume
Increased Revenue and Revenue Cycle Efficiency
Improved Staff and Provider Productivity
Identified Market and New Program Opportunities Including Specialty Units and Services
Comparison to National Benchmarks for Select Indicators
New Revenue Opportunities
Improved Clinical Outcomes
Positioning for Continued Health Care Reform
Innovative Behavioral Health Integration Model
Gap to Best Practice From Clinical and Business Perspectives
New Management Tools Such As Weekly Reports
Focus Leadership and Staff on Critical Goals and Objectives
Sequenced Management Action Plan to Guide and Assist Leadership in Implementing Changes