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Combined computed tomography services for in- and outpatients in a medical care center: process efficiency : a case study

Uhlenbruck, Anna (2017) Combined computed tomography services for in- and outpatients in a medical care center: process efficiency : a case study.

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Abstract:Background: Normally, in- and outpatient care in Germany is strictly divided between hospitals, and general physicians and specialty clinics, respectively. However, in a medical care center (MCC) these two patient types can be combined, which results in an unusual patient combination for German health care providers. As the number of medical care centers is growing, the importance for good and efficient processes is also rising to ensure health care for everyone who needs it. In this paper the focus lies on the in-and outpatient processes of computed tomography (CT) because it is an important diagnosis tool for both, inpatients and outpatients. Therefore, the efficiency of the processes is going to be assessed by identifying possible problems with the combination of the two patient types at the CT and simulating the CT-scan times. Method: To understand and analyze the processes of the CT, observational research was conducted and existing flow-charts were studied and revised. After that the most process- impairing problems were identified through interviews with the people working directly with the CT. To give priority to the most important problems for a solution finding process, a ranking of the problems was done through multi-criteria decision analysis. To substantiate the importance of good solutions simulations of the scan schedules and times that are needed for in- and outpatients were made. Results: The process analysis shows potential for improvement and difficulties especially in the inpatient process. The identified problems confirm this. The problems arise around process issues such as (i) bad distribution of information, (ii) difficult registration regulation of inpatients as well as (iii) patient characteristics such as difficulties with placing catheters (“bad veins”). The multi-criteria decision analysis shows that the “top 3” problems arise around inpatients. The simulation shows a shortage of time to scan inpatients. Conclusion: The process efficiency of the Medical Care Center for Radiology by Prof. Dr. Uhlenbrock & Partner in Dortmund Hörde is not perfect and has high potential to be improved. Especially by refining the inpatient process time can be saved that is needed to scan all patients.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Clients:
Medizinisches Versorgunszentrum Porf. Uhlenbrock & Partner, Dortmund Hörde, Germany
Faculty:TNW: Science and Technology
Subject:85 business administration, organizational science
Programme:Health Sciences BSc (56553)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/73789
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