scholarly journals How to specify healthcare process improvements collaboratively using rapid, remote consensus-building: a framework and a case study of its application

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan W. van der Scheer ◽  
◽  
Matthew Woodward ◽  
Akbar Ansari ◽  
Tim Draycott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Process Improvement ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Recruitment Strategy ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Consensus Building ◽  
Process Improvements ◽  
Obstetric Emergencies ◽  
Healthcare Process

Abstract Background Practical methods for facilitating process improvement are needed to support high quality, safe care. How best to specify (identify and define) process improvements – the changes that need to be made in a healthcare process – remains a key question. Methods for doing so collaboratively, rapidly and remotely offer much potential, but are under-developed. We propose an approach for engaging diverse stakeholders remotely in a consensus-building exercise to help specify improvements in a healthcare process, and we illustrate the approach in a case study. Methods Organised in a five-step framework, our proposed approach is informed by a participatory ethos, crowdsourcing and consensus-building methods: (1) define scope and objective of the process improvement; (2) produce a draft or prototype of the proposed process improvement specification; (3) identify participant recruitment strategy; (4) design and conduct a remote consensus-building exercise; (5) produce a final specification of the process improvement in light of learning from the exercise. We tested the approach in a case study that sought to specify process improvements for the management of obstetric emergencies during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used a brief video showing a process for managing a post-partum haemorrhage in women with COVID-19 to elicit recommendations on how the process could be improved. Two Delphi rounds were then conducted to reach consensus. Results We gathered views from 105 participants, with a background in maternity care (n = 36), infection prevention and control (n = 17), or human factors (n = 52). The participants initially generated 818 recommendations for how to improve the process illustrated in the video, which we synthesised into a set of 22 recommendations. The consensus-building exercise yielded a final set of 16 recommendations. These were used to inform the specification of process improvements for managing the obstetric emergency and develop supporting resources, including an updated video. Conclusions The proposed methodological approach enabled the expertise and ingenuity of diverse stakeholders to be captured and mobilised to specify process improvements in an area of pressing service need. This approach has the potential to address current challenges in process improvement, but will require further evaluation.

scholarly journals Managing human capital to engineer process improvement for team interfaces: a case study Team Interfaces: A Case Research

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Debashish Sengupta ◽  
Ray Titus
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource Management ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Process Improvement ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Process Improvements ◽  
Case Research ◽  
Study Team

Process improvements of existing team interfaces in the organisation Zygus Engineering India Pvt Ltd are used in this case study to explore challenges in human resource management of project-based organisations. The findings suggest that both design and interventions in engaging human capital, and their subsequent impact, play a critical role in determining the effectiveness and efficiencies in project team environments.

scholarly journals Production Monitoring and Process Improvement for Floor Panel Manufacturing

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea Ritter ◽  
Xinming Li ◽  
Mohamed Al-Hussein
Keyword(s):  
Process Improvement ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Modular Construction ◽  
Process Improvements ◽  
Final Destination ◽  
Correct Orientation ◽  
Home Construction ◽  
Production Area

Panelized home construction allows for the construction of homes to be completed in a factory, but in only two dimensions, compared to the three dimensional module that is produced in modular construction facilities. Keeping the panels detached until they reach the final destination permits for more efficient transport of panels and allows the factory to be divided into more specialized areas. This paper presents a case study of an established panelized home manufacturer, where the floor production area is identified as an area for potential process improvement. Possible areas for process improvement are identified by conducting a time study, carrying out observation, and constructing a simulation model in which potential process improvements can be tested. Opportunities are identified for process improvement, and the anticipated results of implementing certain changes are quantified through the use of simulation in order to aid management in making decisions regarding which changes are to be implemented and in what order. Some possible areas for improvement of the floor production area, including reducing the waiting time for the multi-function bridge by manually applying glue, aligning the joists in the correct orientation prior to their reaching the floor jig to eliminate the need to rotate the joists, and installing a bridge for sheathing board delivery that eliminates the time spent walking to retrieve the sheathing boards.

Supporting process improvements with process mapping and system dynamics

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (8) ◽  
pp. 1255-1270 ◽  
Author(s):  
David E. Bowles ◽  
Lorraine R. Gardiner
Keyword(s):  
System Dynamics ◽  
Discrete Event Simulation ◽  
Process Improvement ◽  
Simulation Modeling ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
Process Mapping ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Process Improvements ◽  
Event Simulation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the effectiveness of combining process mapping and system dynamics (SD) in an organization’s ongoing business process improvement projects. Design/methodology/approach Norfield Industries, designer and manufacturer of prehung door machinery, used process mapping and SD in a project targeting the improvement of its design document control process. The project team first used process mapping to document its current process and identify potential improvements. The team then developed an SD model to investigate the potential impacts of proposed process changes. Findings The case study supports the communication and transparency benefits of process mapping reported in earlier studies. Consistent with other case studies using simulation, SD provided useful insights into possible results of proposed process changes. Research limitations/implications The findings have limitations with respect to generalizability consistent with the use of a case study methodology. Practical implications Organizational managers desiring to include simulation modeling in process improvement efforts have a choice between discrete event simulation and SD. SD may prove able to consume less organizational resources than discrete-event simulation and provide similar benefits related to reducing the risks associated with process changes. Originality/value The current case study adds to the existing literature documenting the use of process mapping combined with simulation modeling in process improvement efforts. The case study supports existing literature regarding the value of process mapping in making system processes more transparent. The results also support previous findings regarding the value of SD for simulating the possible results associated with scenarios under consideration for process improvements.

scholarly journals Assessment of the photovoltaic potential at urban level based on 3D city models: A case study and new methodological approach

Solar Energy ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 146 ◽  
pp. 264-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Romero Rodríguez ◽  
Eric Duminil ◽  
José Sánchez Ramos ◽  
Ursula Eicker
Keyword(s):  
Methodological Approach ◽  
3D City Models ◽  
Urban Level ◽  
City Models

scholarly journals Methods for conducting international Delphi surveys to optimise global participation in core outcome set development: a case study in gastric cancer informed by a comprehensive literature review

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bilal Alkhaffaf ◽  
Jane M. Blazeby ◽  
Aleksandra Metryka ◽  
Anne-Marie Glenny ◽  
Ademola Adeyeye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Vascular Malformations ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Core Outcome Set ◽  
Core Outcome ◽  
Comprehensive Literature Review ◽  
International Participation

Abstract Background Core outcome sets (COS) should be relevant to key stakeholders and widely applicable and usable. Ideally, they are developed for international use to allow optimal data synthesis from trials. Electronic Delphi surveys are commonly used to facilitate global participation; however, this has limitations. It is common for these surveys to be conducted in a single language potentially excluding those not fluent in that tongue. The aim of this study is to summarise current approaches for optimising international participation in Delphi studies and make recommendations for future practice. Methods A comprehensive literature review of current approaches to translating Delphi surveys for COS development was undertaken. A standardised methodology adapted from international guidance derived from 12 major sets of translation guidelines in the field of outcome reporting was developed. As a case study, this was applied to a COS project for surgical trials in gastric cancer to translate a Delphi survey into 7 target languages from regions active in gastric cancer research. Results Three hundred thirty-two abstracts were screened and four studies addressing COS development in rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, vascular malformations and polypharmacy were eligible for inclusion. There was wide variation in methodological approaches to translation, including the number of forward translations, the inclusion of back translation, the employment of cognitive debriefing and how discrepancies and disagreements were handled. Important considerations were identified during the development of the gastric cancer survey including establishing translation groups, timelines, understanding financial implications, strategies to maximise recruitment and regulatory approvals. The methodological approach to translating the Delphi surveys was easily reproducible by local collaborators and resulted in an additional 637 participants to the 315 recruited to complete the source language survey. Ninety-nine per cent of patients and 97% of healthcare professionals from non-English-speaking regions used translated surveys. Conclusion Consideration of the issues described will improve planning by other COS developers and can be used to widen international participation from both patients and healthcare professionals.

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