Patient-centered care through consolidation of outpatient services.
Prior to an innovative consolidation, it could take two hours to complete outpatient testing at the Ephraim McDowell Medical Center in Danville, Kentucky. Outpatients were subjected to time-consuming journeys through the hospital to find different departments. Frequently, they lost their way and entered restricted areas of the hospital. A quality improvement (QI) team was formed to implement a consolidation plan that had been developed by the radiology administrator and approved by upper management. In the end, three outpatient services were integrated into one location, greatly simplifying the process for patients and increasing efficiency for all. The consolidation was accomplished by reconfiguring existing space. It was open for service just two months after the QI team was formed. Outpatient testing can now be completed in 30 to 40 minutes.
Ephraim McDowell Medical Center, Danville, KY.
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Preston
D002497:Centralized Hospital Services; D006749:Hospital Design and Construction / Q000379:methods; D015285:Hospital-Patient Relations; D007629:Kentucky; D008332:Management Quality Circles / Q000458:organization & administration; D008961:Models, Structural; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*