IHO Variability Methodology® Services
In complex service systems, quality and efficiency depend on the ability to consistently align resources with demand. In healthcare, where patient flow can be unpredictable, the only way to overcome this operational challenge is through effective management of variability in patient demand for services. IHO’s Variability Methodology® techniques allow hospitals to eliminate unnecessary peaks and valleys in patient flow.
The Institute for Healthcare Optimization uses its unique methodology to bring together the science of operations management, clinical knowledge, analytic skills, and an understanding of organizational behavior to improve patient flow for hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare organizations. This methodology has been applied on a one-on-one targeted consulting basis, as well in collaborative multi-hospital initiatives.
Some of the services IHO offers include:
Optimize OR Flow
Ensure consistent and timely access to the OR for both Urgent/Emergent and Elective patients to:
- Separate emergency and elective surgeries to reduce delays, case postponements/cancelations, and wait times
- Increase OR throughput
- Effectively plan for OR allocation requirements to ensure timely access for urgent/emergent surgeries
- Evaluate resourcing plans to address any forecasted changes in OR case volume
- Develop strong processes & procedures to ensure sustainability
- Decrease overtime requirements
Optimize Surgical Inpatient Flow
Manage the flow of electively scheduled surgical inpatient cases to:
- Decrease competition between unscheduled and elective admissions for inpatient beds
- Increase patient placement in appropriate units
- Effectively plan for inpatient surgical bed requirements
- Evaluate resourcing plans to address any forecasted changes in surgical admission volume
- Increase hospital-wide throughput, including the ED
- Achieve consistent nurse-to-patient staffing
Optimize Medical Inpatient Flow
Optimize patient placement for medical patients by ensuring best practices and procedures and evaluating bed capacity requirements to:
- Ensure the right care is provided at the right time and right place for every patient
- Effectively plan for inpatient medical bed requirements and other resource needs
Cath Lab
Ensure consistent and timely access to the Cath Lab for all patients to:
- Reduce delays, case postponements/cancellations, and wait times
- Increase Cath Lab throughput
- Effectively plan for Cath lab capacity requirements
- Evaluate resourcing plans to address any forecasted changes in Cath Lab case volume
- Develop strong processes & procedures to ensure sustainability
- Decrease overtime requirements
Outpatient & Primary Care Clinics
Align clinic capacity with patient demand and scheduling practices to:
- Reduce wait times and appointment cancellations
- Effectively plan for clinic capacity requirements
- Evaluate resourcing plans to address any forecasted changes in patient volume
- Develop strong processes & procedures to ensure sustainability
- Decrease overtime requirements
Individualized Consulting Services
Have a specific issue in mind?
- IHO will work with you to develop a customized plan to identify and address your specific patient flow concern
IHO Variability Methodology® is endorsed by: The Institute of Medicine, American Hospital Association, American Nursing Association, Joint Commission Resources, The Government Accountability Office, American College of Emergency Physicians, The Leapfrog Group, American Organization of Nurse Executives, and The Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses.
For more information, please contact us
