Patient Flow

This book is dedicated to improving healthcare through reducing delays experienced by patients. With an interdisciplinary approach, this new edition, divided into five sections, begins by examining healthcare as an integrated system. Chapter 1 provides a hierarchical model of healthcare, rising from departments, to centers, regions and the “macro system.” A new chapter demonstrates how to use simulation to assess the interaction of system components to achieve performance goals, and Chapter 3 provides hands-on methods for developing process models to identify and remove bottlenecks, and for developing facility plans. Section 2 addresses crowding and the consequences of delay. Two new chapters (4 and 5) focus on delays in emergency departments, and Chapter 6 then examines medical outcomes that result from waits for surgeries. Section 3 concentrates on management of demand. Chapter 7 presents breakthrough strategies that use real-time monitoring systems for continuous improvement. Chapter 8 looks at the patient appointment system, particularly through the approach of advanced access. Chapter 9 concentrates on managing waiting lists for surgeries, and Chapter 10 examines triage outside of emergency departments, with a focus on allied health programs Section 4 offers analytical tools and models to support analysis of patient flows. Chapter 11 offers techniques for scheduling staff to match patterns in patient demand. Chapter 12 surveys the literature on simulation modeling, which is widely used for both healthcare design and process improvement. Chapter 13 is new and demonstrates the use of process mapping to represent a complex regional trauma system. Chapter 14 provides methods for forecasting demand for healthcare on a region-wide basis. Chapter 15 presents queueing theory as a method for modeling waits in healthcare, and Chapter 16 focuses on rapid delivery of medication in the event of a catastrophic event. Section 5 focuses on achieving change. Chapter 17 provides a diagnostic for assessing the state of a hospital and using the state assessment to select improvement strategies. Chapter 18 demonstrates the importance of optimizing care as patients transition from one care setting to the next. Chapter 19 is new and shows how to implement programs that improve patient satisfaction while also improving flow. Chapter 20 illustrates how to evaluate the overall portfolio of patient diagnostic groups to guide system changes, and Chapter 21 provides project management tools to guide the execution of patient flow projects.

This book is dedicated to improving healthcare through reducing the delays experienced by patients. It is the first book treatment to have reduction in patient delay as its sole focus, and therefore, provides the foundation by which hospitals can implement change. In short, the book provides "hands-on" discussion and methods for solving a variety of problems, and is a guide to motivate change in Health Care Systems around the world.

This book is dedicated to improving healthcare through reducing delays experienced by patients. With an interdisciplinary approach, this new edition, divided into five sections, begins by examining healthcare as an integrated system. Chapter 1 provides a hierarchical model of healthcare, rising from departments, to centers, regions and the “macro system.” A new chapter demonstrates how to use simulation to assess the interaction of system components to achieve performance goals, and Chapter 3 provides hands-on methods for developing process models to identify and remove bottlenecks, and for developing facility plans. Section 2 addresses crowding and the consequences of delay. Two new chapters (4 and 5) focus on delays in emergency departments, and Chapter 6 then examines medical outcomes that result from waits for surgeries. Section 3 concentrates on management of demand. Chapter 7 presents breakthrough strategies that use real-time monitoring systems for continuous improvement. Chapter 8 looks at the patient appointment system, particularly through the approach of advanced access. Chapter 9 concentrates on managing waiting lists for surgeries, and Chapter 10 examines triage outside of emergency departments, with a focus on allied health programs Section 4 offers analytical tools and models to support analysis of patient flows. Chapter 11 offers techniques for scheduling staff to match patterns in patient demand. Chapter 12 surveys the literature on simulation modeling, which is widely used for both healthcare design and process improvement. Chapter 13 is new and demonstrates the use of process mapping to represent a complex regional trauma system. Chapter 14 provides methods for forecasting demand for healthcare on a region-wide basis. Chapter 15 presents queueing theory as a method for modeling waits in healthcare, and Chapter 16 focuses on rapid delivery of medication in the event of a catastrophic event. Section 5 focuses on achieving change. Chapter 17 provides a diagnostic for assessing the state of a hospital and using the state assessment to select improvement strategies. Chapter 18 demonstrates the importance of optimizing care as patients transition from one care setting to the next. Chapter 19 is new and shows how to implement programs that improve patient satisfaction while also improving flow. Chapter 20 illustrates how to evaluate the overall portfolio of patient diagnostic groups to guide system changes, and Chapter 21 provides project management tools to guide the execution of patient flow projects.

Provides hospitals with scientifically grounded methods to optimally manage patient flow. This title features advanced tutorials to help you to: understand the problems in patient flow management; assess the quantitative impact of patient flow issues on patients and staff; and, use quantitative methods to enhance patient flow.

"This book explains how to use the Theory of Constraints to improve patient flow in a hospital, medical office, urgent care center, or clinic"--

Tackle the issues of space capacity, utilization, patient flow and technology in this best-selling book for medical practice management.

Some is not a number. Soon is not a time. Somehow is not a strategy! How will your organization survive and thrive with the shift from volume to value? In healthcare, change used to be less frequent. But today, each of us works in a capacity-constrained environment where change is constant and patient volume is ever increasing. Flow matters. In fact, it's non-negotiable.Efficient patient flow has never been more critical to ensure patient safety, satisfaction, and optimal reimbursement. In The Patient Flow Advantage: How Hardwiring Hospital-Wide Flow Drives Competitive Performance, Drs. Kirk Jensen and Thom Mayer share tips and best practices from their Flow Tool Kit. This resource was developed based on years of hardwiring flow in hundreds of hospitals across the U.S. and Canada.Building on principles first outlined in their earlier book Hardwiring Flow: Systems and processes for Seamless Patient Care, the authors offer specific tips, tools, and techniques to add value and eliminate waste. The goal: to build effectiveness, efficiency and a patient-centric focus into the heart of every process that serves patients.Readers will learn: The 7 core strategies to hardwire flow and the tools that support them Why--and how--to use Evidence-Based LeadershipSM for agile, effective teamwork and a culture of safety and accountability Valuable lessons to apply from other industries --like restaurants, aviation, and submarine operations--that get flow right (or that have mastered flow) "Advanced" flow concepts, including how to use targeted systems hospital-wide to relieve boarding and speed patient care How to apply these strategies to the "frontiers of flow," in acute care surgery, critical care medicine, radiology, and anesthesia servicesData, knowledge, and wisdom. Learn to leverage your people, your processes, and your healthcare spaces to better serve your patients, providers, leaders, and staff. The Patient Flow Advantage is your must have guide to hardwire hospital-wide flow.

Optimizing patient flow : advanced strategies for managing variability to enhance access, quality, and safety offers readers innovate techniques for maximizing patient flow and improving operations management while providing clear examples of successful impementation. This all-new book can help health care organizations to reduce and manage variability, thereby increasing the reliablity of systems and processes and improving health care quality and safety.