PAS Follows Principles of Patient-Focused Care

In establishing its multifunction patient administrative services (PAS) teams, which are based on patient units and oversee accounts from preadmission to post-discharge, University of California, Los Angeles, Medical Center used the following patient-focused care principles:

-- Simplify work whenever possible.
Reduce the complexity of the paper and communication work flow.

-- Reduce duplication of effort.
Identify the primary goals/tasks and assign them to one area/team.

-- Provide a consistent and positive interface for all customers:
patients;
physicians;
review agencies;
patient care givers;
billing services.

-- Point of service.
Move the worker closer to the work.

-- Flexibility.
Have enough flexibility to tailor the team to the model of care for each unit.

-- Avoid rework.
Do it right the first time to avoid corrections later.