A web-based platform for optimizing healthcare resource allocation and workload management using agile methodology...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Health Informatics
• Operations Research

Background:

• Effective healthcare workforce management is crucial for quality care, especially in resource-limited settings.
• The manual Workload Indicators of Staffing Need (WISN) methodology is complex and time-consuming.
• The PRAYOJN platform was developed to automate WISN calculations and improve healthcare workforce planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a web-based system for automating the WISN methodology.
• To enhance the efficiency and accuracy of healthcare workforce planning.

Main Methods:

• Agile development methodology over five iterative sprints with stakeholder feedback.
• Integration of data for principal, supporting, and ancillary tasks for staffing requirement calculation.
• Automated computation of Available Work Time (AWT), Standard Workload (SW), Category Allowance Factor (CAF), and Individual Allowance Factor (IAF).
• Alpha and beta testing for usability, accuracy, and real-world performance assessment.

Main Results:

• The PRAYOJN platform accurately calculated staffing needs, with a phlebotomy department requiring 15.53 FTE, closely matching the existing 15 FTE.
• Iterative agile development improved the platform's user interface (UI) and user experience (UX).
• User feedback emphasized the platform's user-friendly design, efficient workload interpretation through dynamic visualizations, and reduced calculation complexity.

Conclusions:

• PRAYOJN modernizes WISN-based workforce planning through automation and improved data visualization.
• The platform supports real-time decision-making for optimizing staffing efficiency.
• Its scalability and intuitive interface make it a valuable tool for diverse healthcare settings.