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In This Issue:
It’s a Matter of Time
Volunteer Paul Rinaldi’s few quick phone calls make a big difference in sending patients home quickly and streamlining the discharge process. The automated phone system he accesses with each patient trip translates into significant timesavings for the ongoing Patient Flow Service Excellence project.
“Previously, a collection of departments handled transports,” said Rick Bass, director of Environmental Services, who explained that Patient Transport now dispatches all requests for moving patients between departments or for discharge.
Patient discharge waiting time has been reduced to 15 minutes or less, Bea Harris-Lane, senior manager Central Transport Services, said. Only six months ago, patients’ wait time for discharge averaged 30 minutes.
The telephone system enables managers to better track and time patient discharges and room turn around, expediting admissions of new patients
“The Transport discharge order entry system and telephone system provide real-time information online and that’s been spectacular,” said Chris Collins, director of Patient Access Services.
“Procuring a transport volunteer or staff member is now within 10 to 15 minutes from when we call the discharge number,” said Mary Katherine O’Brien, RN, nurse manager on Tower 10CD. “It’s working very well.”
The new system also keeps patient care assistants and unit associates on their assigned floors. Among other benefits, according to O’Brien, is further streamlining patient flow through room preparation.
In addition, the Connors Center has simplified its own discharge process for similar time savings. “We give the fathers a 10-minute head start,” said Bass. “That way, when the mother and newborn are transported by a unit associate to the 45 Francis St. lobby, their ride home is waiting,” Bass added.
Look for further advances in discharge and length of stay improvements in future issues of BWH Bulletin. To provide feedback to the various improvement measures as a result of the Patient Flow Service Excellence project, email Bass or Harris-Lane.