AHA

Hospitals seek to improve patient flow by introducing innovative technology, but it can be difficult to truly gauge the impact of a new solution. The Journal of Nursing Administration (JONA)* recently published the results of a study conducted by the School of Nursing at the University of Minnesota. The study showed how hospitals can quantify OR improvements in patient flow using communications technology.

Separately, Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) demonstrated measurable bottom-line results in all aspects of the hospital’s operation to their administration after deploying hands-free mobile communication technology.

In this webinar, JONA article author Tom Clancy illustrates the use of a simulation model and how it predicts the impact of technology on patient flow in the OR. He discusses results, including improved capacity without increased labor costs by reducing delays and improving processes. CMMC anesthesia and OR staff present the research they conducted when deploying hands-free technology throughout the full perioperative continuum, including the ancillary services and 18 anesthetizing suites.

Learn how CMMC decreased the average length of a surgical case by 2.6 percent, created 350 hours of capacity, improved productivity by 9 percent and decreased full time employees by 11.6 percent — a savings of $303 thousand. In addition, beeper pages to key personnel decreased 93 percent per month which saved 35 hours per month for the organization.

* Gamlen C, Clancy TR, Moengen D, Rauen J. Measuring return on investment in complex healthcare systems. J Nurse Admin. 2012 Jul; 42(7-8): 353-5

You Will Learn To:

• Identify types of communication events that directly impact OR patient flow
• Implement hands-free mobile communications that can positively impact communication speed and efficiency
• Measure the ROI of a hands-free mobile technology deployment in the OR

Speakers:

• Tom Clancy, PhD, MBA, RN, FAAN, Clinical Professor and Assistant Dean, School of Nursing at the University of Minnesota
• Bruce O’Donnell, Chief Nurse Anesthetist, Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston, ME