When it comes to tracking technologies, hospitals are often advised to implement the tools systemwide to eliminate bottlenecks. But, that means hospitals are also waiting to implement these technologies in the OR, where they may be most valuable.
In the study, Using Tracking Tools to Improve Patient Flow in Hospitals, prepared by CSC Global Healthcare Group under contract with California Healthcare Foundation, co-authors Jared Rhoads and Erica Drazen identified an interesting trend: patient tracking technology has not yet spread to ORs. "Part of our research involved looking for hospitals and sites that had implemented patient tracking in some form, but we really didn't find any in the ORs," says Mr. Rhoads. While hospital administrators do know ORs are a source of bottlenecks, the market segment is still not a priority for many tracking vendors.
Why haven’t more ORs adopted patient tracking technologies? Mr. Rhoads says some barriers to entry are cultural. "There are many information systems out there that are custom-built for the OR and already include efficiency tools and more manual forms of patient tracking," says Mr. Rhoads. "Some hospitals see that a highly automated tracking system would be beneficial in the OR, but many do not view it as a priority just yet. Other hospitals may choose to address challenges using process improvement methods such as Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma," says Mr. Rhoads.
Given the emphasis on time, efficiency and patient flow in both, it is interesting to note ORs and EDs see different implementation rates of tracking tools. Emergency departments are beginning to implement tracking technologies, although the tools are not yet in widespread use, according to the report. "In EDs, there are handoffs with which tracking can help. Also, in an ED, there is a lot of variation. You might have an urgent case and a case requiring less urgency. There might be a long wait time for a patient in the triage process. With a patient tracking system, you can find patients when they visit the cafeteria or wander down a hall," says Mr. Rhoads.
If considering introducing tracking tools into its ORs, it is recommended that hospitals first evaluate the technology alongside the traditional process analysis they already have in place. By identifying problems in the OR's current efficiency system, OR leaders can decide whether the problem is one that would be remedied by tracking technology. A multi-disciplinary team — physicians, nurses and environmental services staff — should evaluate the current OR system, keeping an eye out for inefficiencies.
"I'd recommend looking at tracking systems as complements to system-wide processes. You want all components integrated. The ED, the patient units, and the OR all form a chain," says Mr. Rhoads. "If you don't look at the system as a whole, then you might just end up moving a bottleneck from one place to another instead of eliminating it and improving your efficiency.”
Read the full-length study on patient tracking by Mr. Rhoads and Ms. Drazen (pdf).
Related Articles on OR Efficiency:
Enemy to OR Efficiency: Noise Pollution
5 Strategies to Improve Patient Flow in a Busy Hospital
4 Ways to Save OR Staff Time
In the study, Using Tracking Tools to Improve Patient Flow in Hospitals, prepared by CSC Global Healthcare Group under contract with California Healthcare Foundation, co-authors Jared Rhoads and Erica Drazen identified an interesting trend: patient tracking technology has not yet spread to ORs. "Part of our research involved looking for hospitals and sites that had implemented patient tracking in some form, but we really didn't find any in the ORs," says Mr. Rhoads. While hospital administrators do know ORs are a source of bottlenecks, the market segment is still not a priority for many tracking vendors.
Why haven’t more ORs adopted patient tracking technologies? Mr. Rhoads says some barriers to entry are cultural. "There are many information systems out there that are custom-built for the OR and already include efficiency tools and more manual forms of patient tracking," says Mr. Rhoads. "Some hospitals see that a highly automated tracking system would be beneficial in the OR, but many do not view it as a priority just yet. Other hospitals may choose to address challenges using process improvement methods such as Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma," says Mr. Rhoads.
Given the emphasis on time, efficiency and patient flow in both, it is interesting to note ORs and EDs see different implementation rates of tracking tools. Emergency departments are beginning to implement tracking technologies, although the tools are not yet in widespread use, according to the report. "In EDs, there are handoffs with which tracking can help. Also, in an ED, there is a lot of variation. You might have an urgent case and a case requiring less urgency. There might be a long wait time for a patient in the triage process. With a patient tracking system, you can find patients when they visit the cafeteria or wander down a hall," says Mr. Rhoads.
If considering introducing tracking tools into its ORs, it is recommended that hospitals first evaluate the technology alongside the traditional process analysis they already have in place. By identifying problems in the OR's current efficiency system, OR leaders can decide whether the problem is one that would be remedied by tracking technology. A multi-disciplinary team — physicians, nurses and environmental services staff — should evaluate the current OR system, keeping an eye out for inefficiencies.
"I'd recommend looking at tracking systems as complements to system-wide processes. You want all components integrated. The ED, the patient units, and the OR all form a chain," says Mr. Rhoads. "If you don't look at the system as a whole, then you might just end up moving a bottleneck from one place to another instead of eliminating it and improving your efficiency.”
Read the full-length study on patient tracking by Mr. Rhoads and Ms. Drazen (pdf).
Related Articles on OR Efficiency:
Enemy to OR Efficiency: Noise Pollution
5 Strategies to Improve Patient Flow in a Busy Hospital
4 Ways to Save OR Staff Time