Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Admission Testing Center: Reduction in Time Required for Patient Throughput

Preoperative/procedure testing for surgical, cardiac catheterization and scheduled C-section patients by the Admission Testing Center (ATC) was taking 2.25 hours on average (and up to four hours) to complete, creating significant patient and nursing dissatisfaction.

A four day Lean Kaizen event followed baseline data collection and a multidisciplinary team was formed to reduce the throughput time for ATC patients. Initiatives focused on reducing patient throughput by approximately 18 percent, with a stretch goal of 24 percent.

On day one of the event, the average length of stay was 145 minutes (2.41 hours). As the week progressed, the average length of stay declined to 94 minutes (1.56 hours)—a 35 percent improvement. During the first six weeks of implementation, the average length of stay declined from an average of 135 minutes to an average of 109 minutes—a 19 percent improvement, with a maximum length of stay being 160 minutes (2.66 hours).

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This case study is part of the Illinois Hospital Association's annual quality awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These hospitals are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim--improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction); improving the health of populations; and reducing the per capita cost of health care.

Award recipients achieve measurable and meaningful progress in providing care that is:

• Safe
• Timely
• Effective
• Efficient
• Equitable
• Patient-centered

(The Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement.)