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Consider these methods to improve patient flow

Hospitalist Leadership Connection, April 18, 2007

A recent survey conducted by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and Pittsburgh-based medical software firm TeleTracking shows that 65% of respondents surveyed believe that patient flow is an extremely serious problem in their hospitals.  

The results confirm what hospital officials have suspected for some time: that patient flow has become a priority and that hospital staff should expect to see changes intended to improve flow.

The following are suggestions to improve patient flow: 

• Use a "bed czar." The czar keeps in contact with the hospital's units to maintain constantly updated information about the space availability throughout the facility. He or she can then coordinate bed cleaning after a patient is discharged, check for a patient in line for a room in that unit, and transfer that patient to the newly cleaned room.
• Designate discharge beds or a discharge room. The space is used for patients who no longer need medical attention but who have not yet been discharged. Using dedicated space for these patients frees up hospital rooms and medical devices for patients who need them.

Editor's note: These tips ran in the March issue of Briefings on Patient Safety, published by HCPro, Inc. For information on this and other HCPro newsletters, go to: www.hcmarketplace.com/prod-234.html

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