Improving Patient Flow and Reducing Emergency Department ...

2
1. Identify the most likely causes of the specific problems you face.
2. Review available materials that describe what other hospitals have done to improve patient flow.
3. Consider your resources.
Preparing to Launch
Once the strategy is selected, we recommend that hospitals create a road map for the implementation
process. An implementation plan should be completed by the team and can help:
1. Identify your goals and strategies.
2. Plan your approach.
3. Estimate the time and expenses associated with implementation.
4. Identify performance measures.
Once completed, we recommend that you share your implementation plan with other hospital and
department leaders to ensure that they (1) are aware of the efforts underway and (2) understand the
timeline, budget, and resources that will be needed.
Facilitating Change, Anticipating Challenges
Facilitating change often involves anticipating common challenges and taking steps to forestall them.
We recommend several strategies for addressing those challenges.
Recommended Approaches to Addressing Implementation Challenges
Challenge Recommended Approach Rationale
Culture change Constant reinforcement of the Signals to staff that the improvement
strategy by leaders strategy will become standard
procedure
Staff resistance Staff education Provides staff with the capabilities and
knowledge to carry out the strategy
Staff resistance Post-implementation adjustments Signals responsiveness to staff concerns
reflecting user recommendations
Staff resistance, culture Use of Lean quality improvement Fosters a team environment
change, and lack of methods
staffing resources
Lack of staffing resources Robust data collection Provides concrete evidence of need for
Staff resistance action; demonstrates success to hospital
leaders and frontline staff; is crucial in
securing an executive champion