Application of Clinical informatics in Practice
by Lynda A. Monik
ABSTRACT
The use of demographic patient data, patient visits and length of stay information helps focus the daily efforts of the Resource Utilization Department at Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital (HDGH). The Resource Utilization Department’s mandate is to ensure that the right patient receives the right service at the right time, that the flow of patients through the system is maximized and that processes are efficient. In a hospital with over 300 beds, it can be difficult to track the activities of patients, identify process issues and eliminate barriers to discharge.
The use of quality, reliable data in a simplified report is used as a starting point to help the department meet its mandate.
Reports are generated daily, some weekly and focus on variables such as out of town or out of country addresses. Knowledge of the patients address helps focus the efforts of the department on repatriating patients back to their city/country of origin. When inpatient beds are tight, it is important to identify the patients that could be repatriated back to their city/country of origin.
Other reports identify inpatients who have been in hospital greater than 14 days, Alternate Level of Care (ALC) patients, patients with no Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), re-admits under 19 years of age and over 75 years of age. The presentation with identify various reports and how the information is used at HDGH to solve Resource Utilization issues.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lynda A. Monik
Director, Resource Utilization
Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital
Windsor, Ontario
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