One year with the COVID-19 pandemic − Lessons learnt? Intersectoral collaboration measures established during the crisis could benefit capacity and patient flow management in daily clinical practice
Journal of Health Organization and Management
ISSN: 1477-7266
Article publication date: 23 August 2021
Issue publication date: 4 March 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way hospitals work. Strategies that were detached from the boundaries of departments and responsibilities in the COVID-19 pandemic have proven themselves under extreme conditions and show a beneficial influence on patient flow and resource management as well as on the communication culture. The continuation of closer interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral co-operation in a “new clinical routine” could have a positive impact on personnel concepts, communication strategies, and the management of acute care capacities and patient pathways.
Design/methodology/approach
The aim of the paper is to critically discuss the knowledge gained in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic from the various approaches in patient flow and capacity management as well as interdisciplinary co-operation. More recent research has evaluated patient pathway management, personnel planning and communication measures with regard to their effect and practicability for continuation in everyday clinical practice.
Findings
Patient flows and acute care capacities can be more efficiently managed by continuing a culture change towards closer interdisciplinary and intersectoral co-operation and technologies that support this with telemedicine functionalities and regional healthcare data interoperability. Together with a bi-directional, more frequent and open communication and feedback culture, it could form a “new clinical routine”.
Originality/value
This paper discusses a holistic approach on the way away from silo thinking towards cross-departmental collaboration.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable.
Consent for publication: Not applicable.
Availability of data and materials: Not applicable.
Funding: Not applicable.
Citation
Hiller, M., Bracht, H. and Schroeder, S. (2022), "One year with the COVID-19 pandemic − Lessons learnt? Intersectoral collaboration measures established during the crisis could benefit capacity and patient flow management in daily clinical practice", Journal of Health Organization and Management, Vol. 36 No. 2, pp. 141-148. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-06-2021-0211
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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