Quality improvement for a hospital patient transportation system.
This article describes a method for organizing and staffing a hospitalwide patient transportation system in such a way as to minimize patient waiting times. The method stems from a quality improvement project and includes a centralized communication system, a queuing model to determine staffing requirements, and a computerized data collection and monitoring system. A case study demonstrates improvements in waiting times, costs, and customer satisfaction.
Dershin
H
H
Juran Institute, Wilton, CT 06897.
Schaik
M S
MS
D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003625:Data Collection; D006747:Hospital Communication Systems / Q000592:standards; D015285:Hospital-Patient Relations; D010354:Patient Escort Service / Q000592:standards*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000592:standards; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States; D014850:Waiting Lists