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Exploiting Process Thinking in Healthcare: Evidence of Positive Impact on Operating Theatre Efficiency

Exploiting Process Thinking in Healthcare: Evidence of Positive Impact on Operating Theatre Efficiency
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Author(s): Teemu Paavola (LifeIT Plc, Finland), Kari Kalliovalkama (Seinäjoki Central Hospital, Finland)and Pekka Jokipii (Seinäjoki Central Hospital, Finland)
Copyright: 2007
Pages: 3
Source title: Managing Worldwide Operations and Communications with Information Technology
Source Editor(s): Mehdi Khosrow-Pour, D.B.A. (Information Resources Management Association, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-59904-929-8.ch107
ISBN13: 9781599049298
EISBN13: 9781466665378

Abstract

In Finland, a project designed to modernize processes and reduce the waiting list for joint replacement surgery has recently been completed. The new surgery arrangements for artificial joint patients were monitored for a period of one year. The new arrangements involved relocating the anaesthesia phase outside the operating theatre. The reorganization of the patient care process for joint replacement surgery succeeded in achieving a 50 per cent increase in operations. While conventional operations can often be pushed up a notch with state-of-the-art technology, for example, this article supports the argument that process thinking can be exploited effectively to support new ways of work and improve productivity in healthcare.

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