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.
VA Center Seeks RFID System - John Moore, Government IT
Health - May 11, 2006