Citation
(2012), "Traumatic healthcare productivity", International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Vol. 61 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijppm.2012.07961aaa.007
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Traumatic healthcare productivity
Article Type: News From: International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Volume 61, Issue 1
A recent study looked at the differences in the throughput and productivity of trauma patient processes between German (UKB) and Finnish (HUS) tertiary trauma centers. Problems related to the comparison of different healthcare systems were also identified.
The share of patients discharged to home was used as a control measure.
Results: The biggest differences between the hospitals were found in the use of resources and in post-operative care. Despite problems in defining comparable patients and resources, productivity was significantly higher in UKB.
Post-operative care was on average 41 percent shorter in HUS. However, the share of patients discharged to home was significantly higher in UKB (96.5 percent vs 68.9 percent). Differences were also found in the pre-operative length of stay of patients with proximal femoral fractures (UKB: 0.97 days, HUS: 1.57 days).
Productivity of the operating unit was quite similar in the hospitals. In terms of mortality, no statistically significant differences were found.
Conclusions: The results of the study showed significant differences in the use of resources and throughput times in trauma patient processes between Finnish and German hospitals.