Improved Quality of Care with OBM

Kelley and Gravina (2018) have studied the healthcare sector’s transition from volume-based to value-based reimbursement and highlight Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) as a key factor in improving patient outcomes, safety, and cost-effectiveness. They argue that OBM principles, which have been successful in other industries, can drive behavioral changes among healthcare staff and thereby improve the quality of care and adherence to evidence-based practices.

Background

Over the past two decades, the U.S. healthcare system has undergone a significant transformation, with the reimbursement model shifting from a volume-based system (fee-for-service) to a value-based system (value-based care). This means that hospitals are no longer reimbursed solely based on the number of patients they treat, but rather on the quality of the care they provide. Although the U.S. spends more money on healthcare than any other country in the world, the quality of care is often subpar, and the high costs of medical errors impact both patient safety and the economy as a whole. To address these challenges, the healthcare system has introduced value-based reimbursement, which has increased pressure on providers to rapidly improve the quality of care. Thus, there is much to learn from the U.S.’s transition to value-based care—both in terms of success factors and pitfalls.

Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) is a field that applies principles of behavioral science to improve workplace performance. OBM has proven successful in other industries, such as manufacturing and occupational safety, but has not yet been fully utilized in healthcare. By applying OBM in healthcare, it is possible to improve the quality of care, patient safety, and efficiency by changing staff behavior and ensuring that best practices are followed.

The article identifies four main areas where OBM can have a significant impact on the quality of care:

1. Clinical care processes:
   • Effective and safe care depends on healthcare professionals following evidence-based guidelines, such as the prompt and accurate administration of medications and infection control.
   • OBM can help improve compliance with these guidelines through behavior change strategies such as feedback, goal-setting, and reinforcing desirable behaviors.
2. Patient experience:
   • The patient’s experience of care is an important quality indicator and is measured through patient surveys that assess factors such as communication with healthcare staff, pain management, and the cleanliness and noise levels of the hospital environment.
   • OBM can improve these factors by training staff and providing feedback, which can lead to more engaging communication and better patient care.
3. Patient outcomes and safety:
   • The healthcare sector is grappling with challenges such as hospital-acquired infections, falls, and patient safety issues.
   • Research has shown that OBM interventions, such as feedback and training, can improve adherence to hygiene and safety protocols, which in turn reduces healthcare-associated infections and mortality.
4. Efficiency and cost savings:
   • A key aspect of value-based care is keeping costs down without compromising on quality.
   • OBM can be used to reduce unnecessary laboratory tests, improve workflows, and reduce absenteeism due to illness, which can lead to significant cost savings.

Results and practical implications

Studies in OBM have already demonstrated positive effects in healthcare settings, including improved hand hygiene, reduced infection rates, and better adherence to safety protocols. OBM has the potential to improve the quality of care by creating systems for behavioral change that are sustainable in the long term. For healthcare providers and hospital administrators, this presents an opportunity to use behavioral science to achieve better healthcare outcomes while reducing costs. To be used effectively, OBM-integrated solutions need to be adapted to the complex and dynamic work environments that characterize the healthcare sector.

Conclusion

The ongoing shift toward value-based care means that the healthcare sector must find new ways to improve quality and efficiency. OBM offers a scientifically based method for changing behaviors and improving care processes in hospitals. By implementing OBM strategies, the healthcare sector can not only improve the patient experience and safety but also reduce costs and inefficiencies. Although OBM has so far been relatively underutilized in healthcare, research shows that it has great potential to contribute to more efficient and safer healthcare in the future.

Reference

Kelley, D. P., III, & Gravina, N. (2018). A paradigm shift in healthcare: An open door for organizational behavior management.Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 38(1), 73–89. https://doi.org/10.1080/01608061.2017.1325824