Search results

1 – 10 of over 34000
Article
Publication date: 1 December 2006

Jyrki S. Rytilä and Karen M. Spens

The overall aim of the research presented is to improve blood supply chain management in order to use the scarce resource of blood more efficiently. Computer simulation is used as…

5727

Abstract

Purpose

The overall aim of the research presented is to improve blood supply chain management in order to use the scarce resource of blood more efficiently. Computer simulation is used as a tool for increasing efficiency in blood supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

An application of discrete event simulation modeling in the health‐care sector, more specifically in the area of blood transfusion services. The model has been refined in cooperation with medical expertise as it is vital that practitioners are closely involved so that the model can be tested against their understanding as it develops.

Findings

Decision makers can make better and less risky decisions regarding changes in the blood supply chain based on the knowledge created by simulation experiments. Simulation modeling can be used to make complex and chaotic systems comprehensible and more efficient. In health care, this means that scarce resources can be allocated better, and thereby simulation can aid in increasing the overall quality of health care.

Research limitations/implications

Models are simplifications and there is no guarantee that they will be valid, however, when used sensibly, simulation models and modeling approaches provide an important tool to managing risk and uncertainty in health care supply chains.

Practical implications

Earlier calculations and improvement efforts of blood supply chain in focus were based on “gut feeling”. Through applying simulation to this complex system, the dynamics of blood supply chain was more easily understood by the medical expertise.

Originality/value

There is a lack of work on computer simulations of blood supply chains, a challenge which this work has taken up on.

Details

Management Research News, vol. 29 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0140-9174

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 May 2020

Manimay Dev, Dinesh Kumar and Dharmendra Patel

The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that influence hospitals’ selection by health-care insurers in India and to establish a hierarchical model representing the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that influence hospitals’ selection by health-care insurers in India and to establish a hierarchical model representing the relationship among different factors and their influence on the entire scenario.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey with a set of questionnaires was conducted with different health-care insurer executives of reputed health insurance companies. The data has been gathered by using a five-point Likert scale. Their opinions were converted into a reachability matrix and an interpretive structural modeling was constructed. The final results obtained were verified by using fuzzy Matriced Impacts Croises-Multiplication Applique and Classement analysis.

Findings

The results suggested three key driving factors, National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers accreditation of the hospital, purchasing power of people in the region and national and international recognition of the hospital among the eleven factors selected for the study.

Research limitations/implications

The research mainly focuses on the health insurance benefits provided by privately owned insurance companies and do not comment on any government’s mass health insurance scheme.

Practical implications

With a small proportion of people under the umbrella of health insurance in India, these factors will assist and expedite insurer’s effort to penetrate deep into rural and urban areas enhancing availability and escalating affordability.

Originality/value

This paper presents key factors responsible for better coordination between health-care systems and insurance companies.

Details

International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing, vol. 14 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6123

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 May 2021

Rajesh Kumar Singh, Saurabh Agrawal, Abhishek Sahu and Yigit Kazancoglu

The proposed article is aimed at exploring the opportunities, challenges and possible outcomes of incorporating big data analytics (BDA) into health-care sector. The purpose of…

1655

Abstract

Purpose

The proposed article is aimed at exploring the opportunities, challenges and possible outcomes of incorporating big data analytics (BDA) into health-care sector. The purpose of this study is to find the research gaps in the literature and to investigate the scope of incorporating new strategies in the health-care sector for increasing the efficiency of the system.

Design/methodology/approach

Fora state-of-the-art literature review, a systematic literature review has been carried out to find out research gaps in the field of healthcare using big data (BD) applications. A detailed research methodology including material collection, descriptive analysis and categorization is utilized to carry out the literature review.

Findings

BD analysis is rapidly being adopted in health-care sector for utilizing precious information available in terms of BD. However, it puts forth certain challenges that need to be focused upon. The article identifies and explains the challenges thoroughly.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed study will provide useful guidance to the health-care sector professionals for managing health-care system. It will help academicians and physicians for evaluating, improving and benchmarking the health-care strategies through BDA in the health-care sector. One of the limitations of the study is that it is based on literature review and more in-depth studies may be carried out for the generalization of results.

Originality/value

There are certain effective tools available in the market today that are currently being used by both small and large businesses and corporations. One of them is BD, which may be very useful for health-care sector. A comprehensive literature review is carried out for research papers published between 1974 and 2021.

Details

The TQM Journal, vol. 35 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2731

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2002

Tillal Eldabi, Zahir Irani and Ray J. Paul

Discrete event simulation (DES) application is not as widely perceived as being useful for problem solving in the health‐care arena as in other application areas. Suggests that…

1567

Abstract

Discrete event simulation (DES) application is not as widely perceived as being useful for problem solving in the health‐care arena as in other application areas. Suggests that this might be due to the way DES is applied in health‐care modelling, as it follows a traditionally based‐on‐engineering approach. This may not be a problem in itself; however, health‐care systems are often complex in that they involve multiple decision‐makers and thus understanding and communication between the various stakeholders are potentially problematic. Thinks that problem understanding and efficient communication tools largely contribute to the solution; consequently, proposes a modelling approach to enhance stakeholder understanding and communication. The approach is based on participation of stakeholders; it is also iterative rather than step‐based. To demonstrate this approach, gives an example, aiming to show how this approach has been used successfully to facilitate the understanding process, concluding that involving stakeholders throughout not only helps them to understand their problem better, but also enables them to more fully appreciate the findings resulting from the model. This approach thus serves usefully to enrich the communication between the stakeholders.

Details

Journal of Management in Medicine, vol. 16 no. 2/3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0268-9235

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 23 February 2015

Karin Schnarr, Anne Snowdon, Heidi Cramm, Jason Cohen and Charles Alessi

While there is established research that explores individual innovations across countries or developments in a specific health area, there is less work that attempts to match…

Abstract

Purpose

While there is established research that explores individual innovations across countries or developments in a specific health area, there is less work that attempts to match national innovations to specific systems of health governance to uncover themes across nations.

Design/methodology/approach

We used a cross-comparison design that employed content analysis of health governance models and innovation patterns in eight OECD nations (Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United States).

Findings

Country-level model of health governance may impact the focus of health innovation within the eight jurisdictions studied. Innovation across all governance models has targeted consumer engagement in health systems, the integration of health services across the continuum of care, access to care in the community, and financial models that drive competition.

Originality/value

Improving our understanding of the linkage between health governance and innovation in health systems may heighten awareness of potential enablers and barriers to innovation success.

Details

International Best Practices in Health Care Management
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78441-278-4

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 May 2023

Michail Katsigiannis, Minas Pantelidakis and Konstantinos Mykoniatis

With hybrid simulation techniques getting popular for systems improvement in multiple fields, this study aims to provide insight on the use of hybrid simulation to assess the…

Abstract

Purpose

With hybrid simulation techniques getting popular for systems improvement in multiple fields, this study aims to provide insight on the use of hybrid simulation to assess the effect of lean manufacturing (LM) techniques on manufacturing facilities and the transition of a mass production (MP) facility to incorporating LM techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors apply a hybrid simulation approach to improve an educational automotive assembly line and provide guidelines for implementing different LM techniques. Specifically, the authors describe the design, development, verification and validation of a hybrid discrete-event and agent-based simulation model of a LEGO® car assembly line to analyze, improve and assess the system’s performance. The simulation approach examines the base model (MP) and an alternative scenario (just-in-time [JIT] with Heijunka).

Findings

The hybrid simulation approach effectively models the facility. The alternative simulation scenario (implementing JIT and Heijunka LM techniques) improved all examined performance metrics. In more detail, the system’s lead time was reduced by 47.37%, the throughput increased by 5.99% and the work-in-progress for workstations decreased by up to 56.73%.

Originality/value

This novel hybrid simulation approach provides insight and can be potentially extrapolated to model other manufacturing facilities and evaluate transition scenarios from MP to LM.

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 15 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 April 2021

Melissa Jane Carey and Melissa Taylor

The purpose of this review was to explore the literature for evidence of the impact of interprofessional practice models on health service inequity, particularly within community…

1270

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this review was to explore the literature for evidence of the impact of interprofessional practice models on health service inequity, particularly within community care settings for diverse ageing populations.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrative systematic literature review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework combined with the EndNote reference management system. Following the collection and comprehensive screening process completion, a thematic analysis of the included articles occurred utilising within NVivo 12 software.

Findings

The review found that there was a paucity of evidence related to the relationship between interprofessional practice models (IPM) and health service equity for ageing populations. There is a need to improve collaborative practices between social care, public health care and health service providers to more clearly define team member roles. Key aspirations included the need for future innovations in health service delivery to place health service equity as a goal for interprofessional practice. There is a need to find ways to measure and articulate the impact for vulnerable populations and communities.

Research limitations/implications

The review offers insight into the need for health care delivery models to place health service equity at the centre of the model design. In practice settings, this includes setting interprofessional team goals around achieving equitable care outcomes for, and with, vulnerable populations. Implications for practice relate to improving how interprofessional teams work with communities to achieve health care equity.

Originality/value

There is a consensus across the literature that there continues to be health service inequity, yet IPE and interprofessional collaborative practice (IPC) have been growing in momentum for some time. Despite many statements that there is a link between interprofessional practice and improved health service equity and health outcomes, evidence for this is yet to be fully realised. This review highlights the urgent need to review the link between education and practice, and innovative health models of care that enable heath care professionals and social care providers to work together towards achieving health equity for ageing populations. It is clear that more evidence is required to establish evidence for best practice in interprofessional care that has the mitigation of health care inequity as a central objective.

Details

Journal of Health Organization and Management, vol. 35 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7266

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 September 2015

Prabhat K. Dwivedi

The purpose of this paper is to develop an improvised sustainable health-care model by integrating best practices, innovations and new dimensions to the present public health-care

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an improvised sustainable health-care model by integrating best practices, innovations and new dimensions to the present public health-care system – National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) – for improving the health status of the bottom of pyramid (BoP) in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The contribution of NRHM in ensuring the availability of health-care services and improving health indicators has been assessed. Some unique proven models of excellent health-care services and innovations have also been considered in designing an improvised health-care model. The empirical context takes the use of case study research methodology. The data have been extracted from various relevant papers, reports and websites.

Findings

Despite substantial augmentation in health infrastructure and human resources, increased local engagement and technology integration, the progress in health indicators during the NRHM has not been fairly better than that before. The present paper provides an improvised model that integrates all the potential stakeholders such as Government, Private health-care services providers, pharmaceutical and insurance companies and BoP community itself to ensuring 5As rather than 4As (Prahalad, 2004) in rural health care.

Research limitations/implications

This study has relied mainly upon the secondary sources of data and some published case studies. The model is a hypothetical framework designed exclusively for rural setups of India.

Practical implications

The study shows the ways and invites all the stakeholders to come forward and build hybrid partnerships not only to develop society but also to develop sustainable BoP markets and earn profits.

Originality/value

The paper brings forth the aspects of achievements and limitations of NRHM in improving BoP health status, and it develops an improvised model to achieve the BoP-health objectives.

Details

International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing, vol. 9 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6123

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 24 October 2019

Jessica M. Ray, Rebecca Berg and Stephanie N. Sudikoff

Changes in the physical environments of health care settings have become increasingly common to meet the evolving needs of the health care marketplace, new technologies, and…

Abstract

Changes in the physical environments of health care settings have become increasingly common to meet the evolving needs of the health care marketplace, new technologies, and infrastructure demands. Physical environment change takes many forms including new build construction, renovation of existing space, and relocation of units with little to no construction customization. The interrelated nature of the complex socio-technical health care system suggests that even small environmental modifications can result in system-level changes. Environmental modifications can lead to unintended consequences and introduce the potential for latent safety threats. Engaging users throughout the change lifecycle allows for iterative design and testing of system modifications. This chapter introduces a flexible process model, PROcess for the Design of User-Centered Environments (PRODUCE), designed to guide system change. The model was developed and refined across a series of real-world renovations and relocations in a large multihospital health care system. Utilizing the principles of user-centered design, human factors, and in-situ simulation, the model engages users in the planning, testing, and implementation of physical environment change. Case studies presented here offer exemplars of how to modify the model to support individual project objectives and outcomes to assess at each stage of the project.

Details

Structural Approaches to Address Issues in Patient Safety
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83867-085-6

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 23 February 2015

Maria Cristina Longo

The research analyzes good practices in health care “management experimentation models,” which fall within the broader range of the integrative public–private partnerships (PPPs)…

Abstract

Purpose

The research analyzes good practices in health care “management experimentation models,” which fall within the broader range of the integrative public–private partnerships (PPPs). Introduced by the Italian National Healthcare System in 1991, the “management experimentation models” are based on a public governance system mixed with a private management approach, a patient-centric orientation, a shared financial risk, and payment mechanisms correlated with clinical outcomes, quality, and cost-savings. This model makes public hospitals more competitive and efficient without affecting the principles of universal coverage, solidarity, and equity of access, but requires higher financial responsibility for managers and more flexibility in operations.

Methodology/approach

In Italy the experience of such experimental models is limited but successful. The study adopts the case study methodology and refers to the international collaboration started in 1997 between two Italian hospitals and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC – Pennsylvania, USA) in the field of organ transplants and biomedical advanced therapies.

Findings

The research allows identifying what constitutes good management practices and factors associated with higher clinical performance. Thus, it allows to understand whether and how the management experimentation model can be implemented on a broader basis, both nationwide and internationally. However, the implementation of integrative PPPs requires strategic, cultural, and managerial changes in the way in which a hospital operates; these transformations are not always sustainable.

Originality/value

The recognition of ISMETT’s good management practices is useful for competitive benchmarking among hospitals specialized in organ transplants and for its insights on the strategies concerning the governance reorganization in the hospital setting. Findings can be used in the future for analyzing the cross-country differences in productivity among well-managed public hospitals.

1 – 10 of over 34000