ABSTRACT
An aging population with more patients suffering from multiple diseases together with accelerating medico-technical developments is putting increasing pressure on European healthcare systems. Subsequently, patient flows to hospitals will increase. However, several reports indicate that European as well as Swedish hospitals have a low-flow efficiency. Inefficient patient flows prevent patients from receiving care in time. A growing set of reports also emphasizes that patient flows through hospitals must be managed better to make hospital care more accessible. This chapter is based on empirical studies from a medium-sized hospital in West Sweden serving a population of 140,000 people. The focus has been on examining acute patient flow-related practices and identifying limiting factors regarding process and acute flow management. Data has been analyzed and juxtaposed against theories and prescribed best practices in patient flow management. Based on the analysis, several recommendations are given to improve process and flow management from a technical as well as a social managerial viewpoint. In sum, there is a need for a whole-system view involving co-workers and managers within the system to focus on production and capacity planning as well as balancing and evening out flows within and between clinics.
