Medical and Surgical Practice Playbook: 6 Steps to Reduce Infections and Staff Burnout
Physician practices nationwide face mounting operational pressures. Staffing shortages, higher patient volumes and administrative complexity continue to challenge efficiency, leading to burnout, financial strain and lower patient satisfaction.
Improving efficiency is no longer optional, it’s essential to sustain clinical quality and protect staff well-being. In 2023, 45.2% of physicians reported occupational burnout, citing administrative overload and limited autonomy among key causes. Physicians now spend just 66.5% of their time on direct patient care, with the rest consumed by documentation and non-clinical tasks.
Turnover compounds these challenges. The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) reported front-office turnover rates of 40% in 2023, while both clinical support and business operations roles experienced 33% turnover. High attrition erodes morale, raises costs and disrupts patient flow.
To strengthen operational resilience, practices need practical strategies that enhance workflow, preserve clinician well-being and reduce infection risk. The Medical and Surgical Practice Playbook highlights six proven ways to achieve these goals.
1. Leverage AI to improve administrative efficiency
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming practice management by automating routine back-office tasks. Fifty-seven percent of physicians identify administrative automation as AI’s biggest opportunity, and 70% of primary care physicians believe it can improve clinician well-being.
AI-enabled scheduling, check-ins and chatbots can help minimize no-shows, optimize appointment length and streamline patient communications. MGMA data show that practices maintaining or improving no-show rates relied on consistent digital reminders and automated outreach. By offloading repetitive tasks, staff can refocus on higher-value interactions and patient care.
2. Redesign workflows around team-based care
Team-based and lean process models can significantly improve efficiency and care quality. Redistributing nonessential tasks allows clinicians to spend more time on direct patient care, while lean improvement methods identify and eliminate workflow bottlenecks.
The American Medical Association (AMA) and American College of Physicians (ACP) offer toolkits to support implementation. Integrating telehealth further enhances access, reserving in-person visits for patients who need them most. Together, these approaches can streamline operations and reduce clinician burden.
3. Ensure staff work at the top of their license
Optimizing staff roles to match licensure and expertise improves productivity and morale. Workflow mapping can help identify tasks that can be reassigned to qualified non-clinical or support staff.
Ongoing training and clear communication between administrative and clinical leaders are critical. Practices that define responsibilities clearly and empower staff to operate at their full scope typically report higher satisfaction and lower turnover.
4. Design physical space for efficiency and safety
Facility layout directly affects workflow, communication and infection prevention. Clustering exam rooms reduces walking distances, shared work areas promote collaboration and placing supplies at the point of care saves time.
Infection control should also inform design decisions. Durable, healthcare-grade materials that withstand medical disinfectants help maintain cleanliness, safety and regulatory compliance while supporting long-term usability.
5. Strengthen infection prevention practices
Infection prevention is both a safety and productivity issue. The CDC estimates that influenza alone causes 9 to 41 million illnesses annually, underscoring the importance of robust infection control.
Practices should standardize cleaning protocols and use EPA-approved disinfectants effective against a wide range of pathogens. Automated supply replenishment and staff training can prevent lapses and reduce infection risks. Reliable supply partnerships help maintain compliance and minimize workflow disruptions.
6. Build reliable vendor partnerships
Nonmedical supply chain issues — from stockouts to inconsistent ordering — can slow patient flow and add costs. Partnering with dependable vendors ensures steady access to essential products and services.
Creating preferred product lists, automating orders with just-in-time delivery and using digital spend controls can improve procurement efficiency. Trusted suppliers, such as those specializing in healthcare-ready infection prevention and facility solutions, can also provide guidance to optimize supply management and control costs.
The takeaway
Efficiency and infection prevention are deeply interconnected. Physician practices that invest in smarter technology, streamlined workflows, optimized roles and reliable supply systems are better positioned to reduce burnout, enhance patient satisfaction and maintain financial stability.
By focusing on these six strategies, practices can reclaim valuable time, protect staff well-being and create a safer, more resilient environment for both patients and providers. Read the full report here.
