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The work of the paediatric outpatient department
New Zealand Hospital
|May 9, 1988
Insights
Christchurch Hospital
Area of Science:
- Pediatric healthcare management
- Hospital operations analysis
- Outpatient service utilization
Background:
- The Christchurch Hospital's Paediatric Department is adapting to new patient management strategies.
- There is a growing trend towards reducing inpatient stays for pediatric patients.
- Understanding outpatient workload is crucial for efficient healthcare delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on the workload of the Paediatric Department's outpatient area over a 24-day period.
- To analyze patient attendance patterns, including unscheduled visits.
- To assess the need for treatment, procedures, or investigations in the outpatient setting.
Main Methods:
- Data collection over a 24-day observation period.
- Recording the number of children seen in the outpatient department.
- Categorizing patient visits by attendance type (scheduled vs. unscheduled) and required interventions.
Main Results:
- 702 children were seen during the 24-day sample period.
- One-third of children attended unrelated to a scheduled clinic appointment.
- 208 children required a treatment procedure or investigation.
Conclusions:
- The department's workload reflects shifts towards reduced inpatient care for children.
- The operational changes are economically justifiable.
- Further discussion on the broader consequences of these management shifts is warranted.
Abstract:
The work of the outpatient area of the Paediatric Department of Christchurch Hospital over a sample period of 24 days is reported. 702 children were seen during this period, one-third of whom attended at a time unrelated to a consulting clinic. 208 required some treatment procedure or investigation. The workload of the department reflects changing management patterns and the attempts to reduce inpatient stay for children. There is evidence that on economic grounds alone, these changes can be supported. The other consequences of this move are discussed.