A regional health system cut bed turnover from 4 days to 2.25
A regional health system improved discharge planning and alternate level of care processes, reducing average bed turnover from 4 days to 2.25 days.
The challenge
The health system set out to improve its discharge planning process and to review its model of care for alternate level of care (ALC) patients across its sites. It also wanted its own employees to lead improvement work.
The approach
LEA facilitated Lean improvement of the discharge planning process and a review of the ALC patient model of care. Alongside this, LEA delivered Yellow Belt, Green Belt and Black Belt training and Yellow Belt train-the-trainer, and supported employee-led improvement initiatives through mentoring and coaching.
The result
Average bed turnover fell from 4 days to 2.25 days. ALC patient identification and designation were standardized, the model of care was optimized across sites, and the volume of metrics was reduced by 75%. Employee-led projects included a standardized emergency department to surgery process and more efficient inventory ordering on medical and surgical floors.
How it holds
More than 50 staff were trained to Yellow Belt and more than 30 to Green Belt, and Yellow Belt train-the-trainer gives the organization the means to continue training its own people.
Results
What changed
| Measure | Before | After | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average bed turnover | 4 days | 2.25 days | |
| Volume of metrics tracked | down 75% | ||
| Staff trained, Yellow Belt | 50+ | ||
| Staff trained, Green Belt | 30+ |
FAQ
Common questions
Average bed turnover fell from 4 days to 2.25 days. The health system also standardized how alternate level of care patients are identified and designated, optimized its model of care across sites, and reduced the volume of metrics it tracks by 75%.
LEA delivered Yellow, Green and Black Belt training and Yellow Belt train-the-trainer, and more than 50 staff were trained to Yellow Belt and more than 30 to Green Belt. Employees led their own projects, including a standardized emergency department to surgery process.
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