[Medical service providers as bottleneck in orthopedics and trauma surgery : Problems and solution strategies in...

Due to limited financial and human resources, efficient planning of patient flows, operation preparations and perioperative diagnostics are of great importance. In the present study potential problems and solution strategies in the interdisciplinary collaboration between orthopedic surgeons, trauma surgeons and colleagues in anesthesiology and radiology departments are presented.

After implementation of a process management system, the data were collated and the number of patients, the utilization of external departments in the consultation, waiting times and patient adherence to appointments were analyzed. Patient satisfaction was determined using a questionnaire. In addition, the current literature was searched regarding the topic of process optimization and interdisciplinary cooperation.

The waiting time for an appointment in the outpatient clinic consultation in orthopedics and trauma at the University Hospital Bonn was between 9.15 and 11.23 days. Of the patients 10-20% from the consultation presented in the premedication outpatient department. Radiological imaging was performed in 22-28% of the cases. Patient satisfaction was recorded using a questionnaire gathering information on medical treatment, organization and infrastructure as well as treatment success. The importance of an efficient and digitally organized cooperation is generally promoted in the literature; however, there is insufficient data on the subject of process organization and economic interdisciplinary cooperation.

By implementing a process management, deficiencies in the workflow and interdisciplinary collaboration can be identified and optimized in a structured manner. This also improves patient and employee satisfaction and the quality of treatment.