Achieving impact with clinical process management in hospitals: an inspiring case

摘要

Purpose - In the OECD countries, hospitals face increased financial restrictions and competition. Process orientation is an essential means of remaining competitive. A wide range of theories and concepts relating to clinical process management already exists. When it comes to practical implementation, however, a comprehensive approach for the target-oriented and consistent introduction of clinical process management throughout an entire hospital is missing. The purpose of this paper is to document the case of a German hospital that has realised a project of this kind and demonstrate the impacts on cooperation and on operational efficiency, which is understood as the degree to which a hospital is capable of steadily realising short lengths of stay. Design/methodology/approach - The case shows the approach to implementing theories and concepts for managing clinical processes in practice as a consistent management system in the day-to-day use of process management and its impacts. Findings - The effect of using clinical processes shown in the case is an additional net profit of several million euros a year - without a reduction in quality. Research limitations/implications - While the impacts of clinical pathways on hospitals are not country-specific, the reasons are nonetheless subject to the political and economic conditions. Therefore, some findings are only valid for hospitals in German-speaking countries. However, major effects (e.g. reduction in the length of stay) may exist everywhere. Originality/value - The paper shows how process orientation in a medium-sized hospital can be systematically implemented.