Rapid Response and Better Care

Introduction

Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC), a community health center in Alaska, operates a facility with 81 exam rooms. With a large, growing facility, they faced operational and safety challenges that impacted the patient and staff experience, efficiency, and overall care delivery.

Challenge: Navigating Inefficiencies and Safety Risks

1. Challenges in Communication and Visibility: Staff lacked an efficient way to communicate from within exam rooms. Providers and medical assistants (MAs) spent valuable time searching for colleagues and equipment.

2. Extended Patient Wait Times: Due to workflow challenges, patients could be left alone in exam rooms for over 30 minutes, leading to frustration and decreased satisfaction.  

3. Emergency Response Delays: In high-risk situations such as medical emergencies (Code Blue), security alerts, and instances where patients became combative, there was no effective response system. Staff often had to leave the patient’s side to seek help, call out for assistance, or de-escalate the situation alone.  

4. Workflow Inefficiencies: The clinic faced challenges in coordinating care efficiently across departments, leading to delays and operational bottlenecks.

‍Evaluating Alternatives: Why Traditional Systems Fell Short

TCC explored multiple solutions to address these challenges, but each had limitations:

• Flag Systems: Color-coded flags outside exam rooms signaled patient needs, but required staff to be physically present in hallways to see them.

• Wireless Doorbells: Push-button doorbells allowed staff to request assistance, but they couldn’t identify which room was sending the alert.

• Voice-Based Systems: Intercom and two-way radios were considered but were disruptive in a clinical setting, raised privacy concerns, and subject to human error in emergency situations.

• Basic EHR Alerts: TCC’s EHR tracked only general cycle times and could not provide robust visit stage data. EHR's also lack real-time location and emergency response capabilities.

‍Solution: Optimizing Workflows for Efficiency, Safety, and Patient-Centered Care

After rigorous evaluation, TCC selected Stat as its all-in-one solution, leveraging its real-time tracking, workflow optimization, and emergency response capabilities.

Implementation & Workflow Optimization

TCC’s implementation focused on key areas to ensure maximize impact. The following priorities guided their rollout:

1. Customizing Workflows for Maximum Efficiency: Stat was tailored to TCC’s operational needs, customizing the automated workflows in the platform to align with their unique clinic. Providers and MAs were given instant visibility into exam room occupancy and task status.

2. Establishing a Workflow Governance Team: A multidisciplinary team, including Stat representatives and key TCC staff, continuously monitored system performance and adapted workflows for better efficiency.

3. Enhancing Emergency Response Protocols: Staff can deploy medical personnel for Code Blues or other medical emergencies using specific icons on the tablets. Custom notifications immediately alert the care team to the exact location, allowing staff to remain with the patient and significantly reducing response times. Staff badges enable discreet duress signaling to alert security and other staff members with precise location details, ensuring a swift and coordinated response.

4. Enhancing Patient Experience & Real-Time Feedback: Stat integrated in room patient surveys, allowing staff to receive immediate alerts if a patient reported dissatisfaction. Patient experience teams proactively responded when alone times exceeded 15 minutes.

“The goal is to be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to customer service. Rounding using Stat notifications is a win-win because we are connecting with and supporting patients, family members, and staff as a whole.”
— Leilani Sauer, MA, CPXP, Customer Experience Manager

‍The Results: 

• 28% reduction in patient alone time – Patients spent significantly less time waiting alone in exam rooms.

• 24% increase in productivity – Visits per provider hour improved through optimized workflows.

• 14% increase in patient time with staff – Enhancing patient engagement and quality of care.

• 13% rise in top-box patient satisfaction – Measured directly at the point of care.

• 83% reduction in emergency response times – Staff could summon security, medical teams, and emergency responders instantly, enhancing overall safety.

‍Conclusion: A Safer, More Efficient Future for TCC

TCC’s investment in Stat has paid off in measurable outcomes: better patient flow, safer clinical environments, and more productive teams. The system has not only improved operations but has also empowered healthcare teams to provide faster, safer, and more comprehensive patient care.

“We can now call for an emergency from any patient care room, and the patients can easily summon support staff while alone in the room. Our patient safety and wait times have improved exceptionally, and we are very pleased with the system.”
— Kim Showalter, CMA, CMA Team Lead, Workflow Governance Team Lead

With Stat, TCC is setting a new standard for real-time patient flow management, emergency response, and operational excellence. Clinics no longer have to choose between efficiency and patient safety—they can have both.

‍Are You Ready to Improve Your Emergency Responses?

Stat is helping healthcare providers nationwide streamline operations, enhance patient experiences, and maximize financial performance. Contact us today to learn how Stat can transform your practice!