title: A comprehensive approach to improving patient flow in our hospitals--the 'left to right, over and under' concept.
abstract: It is essential we manage the capacity of our hospitals so that acute demand can be accommodated without developing queues for care and backlogs of work. This paper presents a comprehensive model for improving patient flow in our hospitals by attending carefully to both the demand and capacity states of the hospital and maximising efficient flow of our acute patient journeys. The model includes attention to the patient journey as the central focus, with an overarching governance structure and an underpinning sophisticated operations structure.
authors.affiliation: University of Otago, Christchurch, Emergency Department, Christchurch Hospital, Private Bag 4710, Christchurch. Michael.Ardagh@cdhb.health.nz.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ardagh
mesh_terms: D003441:Crowding; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009520:New Zealand; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000191:economics; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration*