A logistics approach for hospital process improvements

Abstract

This chapter proposes a sustainable logistics approach for hospital process management as an alternative to traditional quality management. The underlying concepts are discussed and illustrated with material from case studies regarding cardiology patient flows. The distinctions between unit logistics, chain logistics and their combination network logistics are used to illustrate the focus of logistic improvement. A framework for hospital production control offers support for a systematic matching of supply and demand at different levels of planning and control. The concept of a focused factory and business unit is used to create a context for patient group management. These three concepts are used for a systematic and sustainable approach for hospital process improvement, as illustrated for an important patient flow in hospitals, i.e. cardiology.