You’ve heard it from your staff so many times: “Yeah, we don’t like those things". “They don’t work right.” “They take too long to use.” “They fall off." “They’re an added step.” “They don’t come off.” “They don’t fit our ____ trays.” “We like the old way better.” "We're not using them."
These common rejections to new products or processes are predictable, and the staff who reject them are usually the loudest. Most people don’t love change, so it should be no surprise that some on your staff would prefer to keep the status quo. You expect that, but are your prepared for it?
What do you do when your staff are trialing a new product or process that you know has merit? It could save time and resources in the long run, improve patient or staff safety, or maybe even comply with a new hospital or industry policy? Do you toss it out on the work table and see who goes for it? Do you give it to your lead tech and ask them to feel out the rest of the staff? What do you do when the first rejection comes in? Do you give up on it and go back to the old way? Of course not, you are a leader. You know it is best to educate and persist when changes to products or processes are valuable.
Here is a quick guide to leading change implementation you can try next time. SPOILER ALERT...it works:
Leading your staff through change implementation will go a long way in developing a standard practice, saving you time, effort and money, or improving patient and staff safety. Making your leadership investment early pays dividends.
GHS introduces new solutions for Sterile Processing all the time. It’s what we do. We have heard hundreds of common staff rejections to new products and processes, and have seen how managers like you best work through them to increase productivity and safety. Please let us know how we can help you. We are here for you. Good Luck!