A detailed Patient Throughput Analysis by AMS identifies the root causes of inefficient patient throughput and workflow and provides specific strategies to decrease the throughput time for both discharged and admitted patients.
Currently, due to increased emergency department volumes and inpatient census, there are “log jams” in getting patients through the emergency department and when needed, to the appropriate inpatient bed on a timely basis. This can impact the service and quality of care delivery.
The project goal is for AMS to evaluate the current systems for overall efficiency and recommend improvements that can yield both financial and customer satisfaction improvements. This is accomplished through formulating a process improvement team, the verification and utilization of data currently available, and the knowledge and expertise of the AMS consulting staff.
The three main AMS objectives are:
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Review and streamline all systems that relate to the timely placement of patients. The current processes will be flowcharted to understand the impact and relationship of each system and/or department on patient throughput and workflow from arrival or admission decision to discharge or inpatient bed. This process includes all admission types.
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Enhance the output from technology in place and consider additional technology as needed. In today’s healthcare market systems for Environmental Services, Bed Placement and Discharge Tracking have yielded successful results related to process efficiency.
- Implement a mechanism to monitor patient placement improvements. AMS has proprietary tools that can monitor improvement gained both during and after project completion. The utilization of dashboards and other tracking tools ensure any improvements realized now are maintained in the future.
At AMS, we believe efficient patient throughput is an outcome of multiple disciplines and systems working in harmony. A thorough review requires a multidisciplinary approach. The areas/departments included in a thorough patient throughput engagement include:
- Environmental Services
- Case Management
- Admitting/Registration
- Emergency Department
- Inpatient Nursing
- Ancillary/Clinical Services
- Patient Transport
- Information Systems
- Providers
A Patient Throughput Analysis serves as a catalyst to bring together different stakeholders to determine a new work design for optimal productivity. The following roles can be provided by AMS:
- Facilitate the process improvement meetings
- Provide ideas/research from other institutions, Internet, literature, and vendors
- Collect and analyze data
- Formulate recommendations
- Build a consensus for recommended changes based on fact, not emotions, or assumptions
- Document findings and implementation plan