[Understanding complex processes better-A case study on increasing patient safety and efficiency in a central...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Systems Engineering
• Patient Safety

Context:

• Operating rooms are complex sociotechnical systems requiring efficient, cost-effective patient care.
• Preoperative preparation is a critical, multi-step process prone to management challenges.
• Traditional error-focused approaches are being supplemented by systemic views like Safety-II.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the suitability of the Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) for improving process understanding in preoperative preparation.
• To model preoperative preparation as it is actually performed, contrasting it with how it is planned.

Summary:

• FRAM analysis revealed preoperative preparation as a complex network of interdependencies.
• The study identified functions with high centrality and variability, crucial for patient safety and process efficiency.
• Specific interventions were prioritized based on their impact on critical functions and system resilience.

Impact:

• FRAM provides deeper insights into sociotechnical systems than linear methods.
• The dynamic view of system interactions facilitates targeted measures to enhance resilience.
• This approach contributes to improved patient safety and operational efficiency in healthcare settings.