SOFT SERVICE - Managing Porters efficiently
Managing Porters efficiently is a key task for any hospital
facilities department. Porters provide a valuable service
to both other hospital staff and patients. They are on
the front line, often working long hours with a variety
of different tasks to carry out, for example transporting
patients around the hospital, making sure equipment and
records are in the right place at the right time as well as
general errands as and when required.
The Soft Services module makes managing Porters a much easier task. Help desk staff can monitor where each Porter should be at any one time and allocate tasks based on the Porter’s location and availability. It enables the Porter to provide a fast and immediate response to all assignments.
Soft Service Module - At a glance
- Enables, fast immediate response
- Track Porters
- Monitor response times
- Pop up warnings alerting of due date
- Ability to book recurring tasks
- Allows Porter to mark a call as resolved once task has been completed
The Stores module provides you with instant access to stock levels, previous stock issues, preferred suppliers and purchase price history. Most importantly, you can maintain accurate stock levels and ensure that cost information is up-to-date at all times. Stock-takes can be carried out whenever required.
A sample of screenshots>>
Personnel table showing which radio is assigned to a staff member.  |
Log a call screen showing the ‘to’ and‘from’ address.  |
Assigning Jobs
Each Porter is assigned their own easy to use handset radio
which is operated with just a couple of buttons. The module can
be interfaced with any current or new radio system. The radio
enables the Porter to make and receive calls and text messages.
Using the intelligent assign screen in Planet, Help Desk staff can
automatically log a call, view available Porters in ‘real time’ and
assign it to the most appropriate Porter. The task is then sent
straight to the Porter’s handset.
Once the Porter has completed the assignment he just clicks his
handset which alerts the system that the job has been completed
and that he is available for new jobs.
The system enables the Porter’s time to be used more efficiently as it negates the need to come back to site to pick up jobs. Jobs can also be scheduled based on the Porter’s location enabling the closest Porter to be assigned the task. It is also possible to assign multiple people to each task.
The module also allows for any reoccurring jobs to be booked. For example, if medical waste needs to be removed from a particular location at the same time every day this can be included in the scheduling.
Monitoring Porters
Helpdesk staff can easily manage a team of Porters knowing where they are and who to allocate to each assignment. The planning screen enables allocation of each job based on the specific location of each Porter.
Planet can track if the handset is switched off and for how long it has been off for so any breaks can be taken into account when assigning tasks.
Every assignment is recorded in Planet so there is never any confusion as to what information has been sent to each Porter.
Improved Service Delivery
Jobs can be allocated in ‘real time’ and carried out according to
priority enabling a significant improvement in service delivery.
Response times can also be monitored to enable continuous
service improvement.
