Improving the efficiency of an emergency department by managing bottleneck capacities. (1st January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Al-Hawari, Tarek; Al-Araidah, Omar; Mithkal, Malak; Khanfar, Alaa; Mumani, Ahmad
• Is Part Of: International journal of modelling in operations management. Volume 3:Number 2(2013)
• Page Start: 108
• Page End: 117
• Publication Date: 2013-01-01
• Subjects: theory of constraints -- TOC -- capacity management -- emergency department; Industrial management -- Mathematical models -- Periodicals; 658.50072
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2042-4094

Abstract

The paper presents improvement efforts applied at an emergency department using theory of constraints. The study aimed to reduce the length of stay of patients and enhance staff satisfaction through the better management of department resources' capacities. Thorough investigation of the system showed that improper work schedules and unbalanced flow contribute largely to patients' delay. Results obtained from applying suggested improvements led to over 30% reduction in patients' length of stay in the emergency department. Results also showed significant reduction in mean service times at the various stages ranging between 8% and 65%. Moreover, results show reduction in variability and higher probability in being closer to set standards.