Optimizing Patient Flow Using Value Stream Mapping in the Chemotherapy Unit: Quality Improvement

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Process Improvement
• Oncology Services

Background:

• Inefficient patient flow in chemotherapy units stems from poor resource allocation, delays, and high workloads.
• Lean healthcare practices offer solutions through process visualization and waste reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize chemotherapy patient flow by enhancing care coordination.
• To reduce patient waiting times and shorten hospital stays.

Main Methods:

• Value Stream Mapping (VSM) methodology was applied from May 2022 to May 2023.
• The chemotherapy administration process was mapped to identify inefficiencies and influencing factors.

Main Results:

• Value-added time increased post-intervention. Total hospital stay reduced by 56.8%, treatment duration by 31.57%.
• Unscheduled patient visits decreased by 22.93%. Key inefficiencies identified in test result evaluation, drug transfer, and preparation.

Conclusions:

• Lean practices effectively reduced waiting times and hospital stays, improving patient flow in chemotherapy units.
• Sustained improvements require ongoing management support and hospital-wide adoption of lean principles.
• Implementing lean practices in high-volume units is recommended for enhanced operational efficiency.