How Storage Impacts Your Patients & Your Bottom Line | E. 116

Storage in healthcare is often seen as a low priority. Brad Fitzpatrick of FitzRight Storage Solutions explains why it plays a critical role for hospitals to Jim Cagliostro. 

 

Episode Introduction

Brad explains why he is potentially in the business of ‘’life and death,’’ how Covid changed the storage landscape and the opposing views of storage as luxury versus necessity. He also highlights the positive impact of storage on hospital margins, and shares why success in business comes from a focus on customers and ‘’attracting’’, not chasing. 

Show Topics

 

• Two common storage pitfalls

• The impact of Covid-19

• Storage is ‘’potentially life and death’’

• Convincing the C-Suite

• Transforming relationships: A storage success story 

• Leadership tip: Focus on your passion 

 

 

04:15 Two common storage pitfalls

Brad explained why hospitals push storage down the list of priorities.  

‘’I would say probably the number one would just be the misconception that optimizing your storage is more of a luxury than a necessity. And everybody has different reasons for not moving forward, or for lack of a better word, neglecting. Whether it be, "Well, we intend on doing that one day." Or, "It's out of the budget." Those two are usually the biggest ones. But the one day is a slippery slope because you don't want to wait until you have a fire till you get the sprinklers installed. ‘One day we’ll do it.’ ‘’

 

05:50 The impact of Covid-19

Brad said the storage landscape changed a lot after the pandemic. 

‘’I'm sure this applies to everything, and it won't surprise you when I say it, but Covid. Once Covid happened, and the pressure came on unexpectedly, I think everybody was able to assess how prepared or unprepared they were when the chips were down. And then, once that dust settled, there were some hospitals that said, "Okay, we never want to be caught off guard like that again. What areas can we fix? How can we fix it?" But then, there were other facilities that said, "We'll wait until the wheels fall off." And, actually, there is one hospital I spoke to recently, and they were told that, "Well, wait until the wheels literally fall off and then we'll redo the room."

11:25 Storage is ‘’potentially life and death’’ 

Brad said access to supplies and equipment can improve patient outcomes. 

‘’Yeah, I don't think it would surprise you that, first and foremost, I think it impacts patients with reduced delays. We're in the business of potentially being life and death. So quick access to supplies and equipment, it minimizes any treatment delays, and that also improves patient outcomes. That said, also, I think the professional environment, a well-oiled machine doesn't work as well if the gears aren't where they should be. A well-organized hospital creates more of a professional and a reassuring environment which, for their patients and their families, can really go a long way. But hospitals aren't exclusive. A library runs a lot better when it's organized. A restaurant, a law firm, everything works better when things are where they should be and there's no surprises.’’

 

15:09 Convincing the C-Su