Online Program

285600
Using spreadsheets to create a patient centered inpatient scheduling program


Monday, November 4, 2013 : 12:50 p.m. - 1:10 p.m.

Jennifer Aloi, BME, CP, Department of Care Excellence, Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland, Rockville, MD
Scheduling has long been therapy centric in Inpatient Acute Rehabilitation programs. Patients in the hospital must receive at least three hours of therapy five days of a seven day period. This therapy must be coordinated around nursing procedures, outside appointments, social work groups, and family meetings. In support of a patient centered model, the hospital implemented a new process with major focus on patient preferences, medical needs and therapy needs.

The objective of this presentation is to demonstrate a patient centered inpatient scheduling system in the acute rehabilitation setting. By the end of the presentation the participant should be able to complete the following: identify the advantages of using spreadsheets with VBA macros to customize a workbook for specific needs, follow a patient centered scheduling model, design a methodical approach to implementing such a model.

A systematic approach was used to create and implement the scheduling system. This included software design, recruitment of a patient centered inpatient scheduler, and development of a communication structure.

Overall customer satisfaction (likelihood to recommend) increased 7% and three hour compliance increased over 20% following implementation of this scheduling model.

Using a workbook/spreadsheets to construct the model made implementation easier since it did not require use or knowledge of new software. Upon use of the new patient centered scheduling program the hospital was able to increase therapy productivity and engagement, three hour compliance and customer satisfaction.

Learning Areas:

Communication and informatics

Learning Objectives:
Identify the advantages of using spreadsheets with macros to customize a workbook for specific needs

Keyword(s): Patient Satisfaction, Performance Measurement

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I developed the Inpatient Scheduling system, the process and the VBA macros it uses.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.