Using project management methodology to plan and track inpatient care

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Clinical Operations
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Effective inpatient care requires a structured approach to task execution for optimal outcomes.
• The ProjectRounds methodology integrates project management principles into hospital care delivery.
• This methodology can be implemented using readily available software solutions.

Observation:

• The ProjectRounds methodology involves four key stages: clinical assessment, planning, scheduling, and tracking.
• Clinical assessment includes identifying patient issues, discharge criteria, and planned interventions.
• Planning utilizes a work breakdown structure to outline all care tasks.

Findings:

• Scheduling generates a project timeline for patient care activities.
• Tracking involves continuous evaluation of the patient's care progress during interdisciplinary rounds.
• The 'percent complete' method quantifies care progress, serving as a patient care dashboard.

Implications:

• Applying project management tenets can significantly optimize the healthcare process for hospital inpatients.
• This systematic approach enhances efficiency and potentially improves patient outcomes.
• The ProjectRounds methodology offers a framework for standardized and measurable inpatient care management.