Identifying logistical parameters in hospitals: Does literaturereflect integration in hospitals? A scoping study

摘要

In order to improve the quality and efficiency of hospitals, they can be viewedas a logistical system in which integration is a critical factor forperformance. This paper describes the results of a scoping study that identifiesthe logistical parameters mentioned in international research on hospitals andindicates whether literature reflects system integration. When subsystemscollaborate in order to accomplish the task of the entire organization, there isintegration. A total number of 106 logistical parameters are identified in ourstudy. In addition, the flow type – patients, materials and staff – and hospitalsubsystems were registered. The results presented in international literatureshow that logistics is highly fragmented in hospitals. Studies also showintegration, although this takes place mainly within the subsystems ofhospitals. A multi-agent perspective on hospitals is proposed, following theview that both integration and differentiation are essential for effectiveorganizational performance. Given the widely recognised importance ofcontrolling hospital costs and the potential of logistics to help in thisprocess, it is important to gain more knowledge of hospitals as networkorganizations, as well as knowledge regarding the degree of integration and thelogistical parameters that are required for better hospital performance.