How to make a cost conscious workforce?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Sep 12, 2005

As a budget conscious senior member of staff, any suggestions for trying to instill the same enthusiasm in order to develop a budget conscious workforce?!?!?!
Tis hard as I see folk using various stock where alternatives could be used that would be cheaper, albeit only marginally, but don't want to come across as penny-pinching.
Examples of saving a few pennies;
* Patients with overnight conveens having drainable drainage bags rather than 'overnight' bags
* Patients with conveens that fall off (as they always seem to do!) having conveen and drainage bag renewed
* Using disposable male urinals to empty catheters - bedpan liners are cheaper to use
* Excessive use of incontinent pads
Blimey I sound light a right tight old g*t!

I remember once one of my old managers was a bit of a penny pincher and she priced everything that was on the shelves so staff knew how much stuff cost. Would keep tapping away at everyones grey matter every time she caught someone doing something which was costing money (she had no objections if it was necessary only when it wasn't) and basically had all control over the ordering and would only order what she wanted anything else the staff required they had to give a good reason to why they wanted that and not the other. If it came down to one being better than the other she would agree to a trial but if it failed would go back to the one that was better

Hope this helps :)

TraceyJ · Sep 12, 2005

So are you saying that it's a good thing or not to price things up?

I am of the same sort of school of thought as your previous manger in that if it's needed then that's the bottom line but I just don't like seeing things used excessively or unnecessarily.

Fonenurse · Sep 12, 2005

How about doing a small costing exercise? Work out the items you feel are expensive where an alternative could be used. If the cost difference in a year is enough to be able to purchase larger equipment, or equates to an extra member of staff, let it be known to your staff - I always use the 'WIIFM' - 'What's In It For Me' principle. Appeal to your staff's self interest - it often works really well.