Census Stablization

Census stabilization is a term that describes the process of improving patient access management, patient flow, or patient transport systems. Patients must be transported within the facility and to other acute care institutions (Stahl, 1998). Studies presented focus on the need for increased communication between nurses and the need to include computers to enhance all communication. Following these topics a review of early and later studies of operations management of census stabilization are presented along with strategies for optimal operations.

Nurse Communication Affects Operations

Clow,áGale, and Saberá(1996) reported on an early patient placement approach, which noted the importance of involving nurses and adequate communication. For this approach a team was formed that included representatives from each unit. The team agreed that communication was the primary cause of most problems and a new plan was devised that consisted of nurses from each unit writing on erasable marker boards: census, discharges and transfers, and available beds. The boards were on rolling carts so that they could be moved to the meeting room daily

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lization can access latent demand and redistribute peak demand. Increases in the breadth of services provided increases market penetration and can assist with wait time; services such as health education, disease screening, or wellness promotions can occupy waiting patients. Finally, the reallocation of non-urgent demands for services to low use periods can help with processing demands (Antle & Reid,á1988). Supply-matching strategies include the accommodating of existing demand with effective staff scheduling; an adequate number of staff must be available at all times. Cross-training of staff can help match fluctuating service demands with available service capacity. Creating a sharing and adjustable capacity seeks other uses for capacity during underutilization periods; examination rooms can be assigned to clinical services during slow periods. Increased patient participation allows provider personal to use other skills more fully. Dasch (1995) reported findings from Naval Hospital Orlando in Florida, a medical facility that was facing impending closure, but sought to improve patient flow in its same-day surgery unit. An improvement plan was developed that improved procedures dramatically; an ambulatory procedures unit
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Approximate Word count = 4447
Approximate Pages = 18 (250 words per page)