Know how it works before you fix it: a data analysis strategy from an inpatient nephrology patient-flow improvement...

This article describes a two-part data analysis strategy that was used as part of a process improvement project on an inpatient renal unit. The goal of the project was to improve patient flow-through from admission to discharge. The Canadian Institute for Health Information reported that the proportion of incident end stage renal disease in the 65+ age group was on the rise, and that the fastest growing segment of incident dialysis patients was in the 75+ age group. Health professionals who provide hospital services to nephrology patients should be alert to this information and anticipate longer mean lengths of hospital stay and more frequent discharge delays. There has been no research in this area specific to inpatient renal units. The author shares his data analysis strategy in hopes that it will spur more research and other process improvement projects.