Tip of the week: Ensure hospitalists have adequate office space and equipment

Hospitals that offer their hospitalist programs comfortable office spaces have a better chance at recruiting and retaining hospitalists. According to Martin Buser, partner at Hospitalist Management Resources, LLC, the following equipment is necessary to run a well-oiled office for six to eight hospitalists:

• Minimum of three computers with access to the hospital’s electronic systems and the Internet
• Remote computer access terminals for home computers
• Printer/fax/copy machines
• Four phones and phone lines
• Four desks with chairs
• Conference table
• Six chairs
• Wall-mounted white board
• File cabinet and wall shelves
• Typical office supplies (staplers, tape, note paper)
• Locker space for personal items
• Couch or reclining chair
• Touch-pad entry system for security

This week’s tip is adapted from “From broom close to command center: Ensure that our program has the right office space” in the May issue of Hospitalist Leadership Advisor, a supplement to Medical Staff Briefing.