16 - Improved inpatient case throughput in Cath lab

Description: At OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, decreased inpatient throughput was causing significant issues, including increased length of stay (LOS), more boarders, and a decline in the quality of care. This situation was particularly problematic, as it directly impacted patient outcomes and hospital efficiency.

To address these challenges, baseline data from FY23 was assessed. The interventions implemented included documenting all cases held over with the reason for delay, changing the Cath lab scheduling to prioritize outpatient cases first, followed by inpatients, and introducing innovative staffing solutions such as extended hours, an overnight call team, and weekend staffing.

These measures led to a remarkable improvement in throughput, evidenced by a 79.02% decrease in the number of delayed cases, from 386 in FY23 to an annualized 81 in FY25. This significant reduction highlights the effectiveness of the interventions in enhancing patient care and operational efficiency.