Summer 2006
Raising Efficiency. Raising Capacity. Raising the Bar.
Waiting Rooms Aren't Just for Waiting Anymore
What doctor's office does not have a room full of people just sitting around waiting to be seen? Now some innovative practices are turning these inconvenient waits into productive and positive patient experiences through the use of technology. Some examples include self admission kiosks, specialized TVs, Web terminals and, most recently, WIFI compatible portable web pads.
Making Use of Patients While They Wait, Matthew Holt, Health IT – World News, May 2, 2006
What Doctors Fear Most: Becoming a Patient
Even doctors get hurt or sick at times, and when they do, they face many of the same patient flow and information problems experienced by non-clinician-patients. "A patient with anything but the simplest needs is traversing a very complicated system across many handoffs and locations and players," says Dr. Donald Berwick, a pediatrician and president of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.
Time – Volume 167, No. 18, May 9, 2005
Getting the Missing Metrics
Everyone knows you can't manage what you don't measure, but how do you capture all the metrics you need in order to properly manage patient flow? It's not practical to put PCs or laptops everywhere data input is needed, nor is it practical to expect clinicians to go through multiple screens and/or sign-on's just to input this data. Some vendors have tried to solve this problem with RFID. However, RFID technology can only get information from the actual people or equipment that have an RFID tag. It also does not allow for much flexibility as the tags must be pre-coded. A lesser-known solution that is quickly gaining popularity is the use of lightweight data entry devices. These devices are much less expensive than laptops and PC's, and they allow for data input at the touch of a single button. Furthermore, these devices can be moved easily from one location to another (some are actually mounted to the wall with Velcro) and can be easily programmed to accept different kinds of information. This flexibility accommodates hospitals' often-changing data entry needs and allows for continuous process improvement. StatCom offers two of these devices, a Touchscreen Input Panel (TIP), and a Wireless Input Button device (WIBUT).
StatCom.com
What Will Bird Flu Do To Your Patient Flow?
Is your hospital ready for the bird flu? According to a report issued earlier last month by the Bush Administration, a worst-case scenario could involve one third of the population becoming infected, two million human deaths, and 40% of employees being absent from work. That means a lot more patients and a lot fewer nurses, doctors, and other hospital employees.
States Welcome Flu Plan But Say They Need More Money – Gardiner Harris, New York Times – May 4, 2006
From Automobiles to Health Care
Techniques for improving work flow and reducing errors have been used for years by companies such as Toyota and Motorola. They are now gaining momentum in the health care industry because they save money and increase patient satisfaction. The University of Illinois Hospital improved patient satisfaction scores by 10% after completing a Lean Manufacturing program originally developed by Toyota. No, they haven't turned their ED into a Jiffy Lube, but they have gotten rid of numerous wasteful processes such as collecting medical histories from patients numerous times and letting trauma rooms go unused when patients with less serious conditions are in need of rooms.
DesMoinesRegister.com - April 21, 2006
Care Management v. Emergency Care
Studies have shown that many EDs in the US see the same patients over and over again. Experts say these "serial ED patients" are often people without health insurance or the funds to pay for medications and other resources they require after an ED visit. The great state of Maine is tackling this problem head on with a variety of programs designed to help such individuals get the care they need to stay out of the ED and in good health.
Donated Care Maine Style, Executive Insights – Jan 2006, pp. 3, 5-6. (May 8, 2006)
Late Adopters Beware
Automation will greatly improve emergency department efficiency and safety, according to a recent report on key trends for emergency and trauma services from the Health Technology Center (Health Tech). The report goes on to state, "Late adopters of real-time information systems; radio frequency identification for patients, staff and asset tracking; electronic whiteboards; electronic medical records (EMRs) and predictive demand modeling will face increasing operational costs, throughput delays and patient dissatisfaction."
Tech Adoption a Must for ED and Trauma Services – Patty Enrado, Healthcare IT News – March 17, 2006
The VA's Next IT Success: RFID Tracking
The VA is seeking to mimic its great success with EMR's through the adoption of RFID technology. They recently issued a request for proposals for an RFID System/Real-Time Locating System. The plan is to track 1,000 devices such as infusion pumps, mobile computer equipment, wheelchairs and stretchers equipped with RFID tags.