Improving Hospital Throughput Times Through True Collaboration

Project Topic:

Improving Hospital Throughput Times While Enhancing Patient Experience Scores

Hospital, City and State:

Ochsner Westbank, Gretna, Louisiana

Unit:

• Med-Surg

CSI Participants:

• Lynn Champagne, BSN, RN
• Marian Wheeler, RN-BC
• Dallas Devore, MSN, RN
• Co-Coach: Nancy Phan RN, BSN
• Co-Coach: Alicia Boudreaux, ASN, RN

Project Goals/Objectives:

1. 90% of staff educated on throughput and departure suite
2. Decrease ‘patient leaves’ goal to under 60 minutes
3. 25% of patients discharged 120 minutes after discharge orders written
4. Improve patient experience Net promoter score 25%v
5. Increase Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool (HWEAT) True Collaboration score from 3.58 to 4.00

Project Outcomes:

1. 90% of staff educated on throughput and departure suite
2. Decreased ‘patient leaves’ goal to consistently under 60 minutes
3. 25% of patients discharged 120 minutes after discharge orders written
4. Patient experience Improve Net promoter score 25%: not met
5. Improved time from admission to bed placement by 20 minutes
6. Reduced average length of stay 0.35 days: from 3.99 to 3.55 days
7. Increased Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool (HWEAT) True Collaboration score from 3.58 to 4.11

Project Overview:

The purpose of this project is to improve hospital throughput by strengthening communication and enhancing collaboration across interdisciplinary teams. By fostering a healthy work environment that prioritizes teamwork, accountability, and open communication, this initiative seeks to support both staff engagement and exceptional patient experiences.

This project focuses on establishing reliable communication processes and promoting coordinated, team-based care. These efforts are designed to ensure that patients move safely and efficiently through the healthcare system, minimizing delays in patient flow and discharge processes while improving overall operational efficiency.

Ultimately, the goal is to enhance the quality of care delivery, increase patient satisfaction and trust, and cultivate an engaged, empowered workforce committed to providing safe, timely, and compassionate care.