Using Lean Sigma and Simulation to Improve Facility Utilization and Patient Flow
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Session
Patient Flow
Authors
Travis Lozier
Director of Performance Improvement
Community Health Network
Rose Popovich
Director of Performance Improvement
Community Health Network
Mark Heithoff
Director of Performance Improvement
Community Health Network
Description
Presentation will cover the disciplined data driven approach to improving facility/hospital utilization and patient flow. The team used actual data and table top simulation to test various redesign proposals.
Abstract
Using the Lean Sigma improvement roadmap a multidisciplinary team was formed with the goal of improving facility utilization and patient flow. Current state utilization for the hospital was ~57% based on patient volumes. The team was charted to increase utilization to 80%. The team followed the DMAIC roadmap and used 2 years of patient volume data to redesign medical surgical units. The team ultimately tested several concepts using a table top simulation to analyze hour-by-hour patient admission, discharge and transfer flow. The simulation showcased a layout that hit the 80% occupancy target with a higher private room capacity. Higher private room utilization results in better infection control and higher patient satisfaction.