A three-step methodology for process-oriented performance: how to enhance automated data collection in healthcare

ABSTRACT

Background. Healthcare managers often attempt to enhance process-oriented performance. However, this remains a challenge. New approaches aimed at increasing the implementation success of process-oriented performance measurement should be investigated.

Methods. This study investigates and discusses a step-by-step methodology to implement an automated and effective process-oriented performance measurement system in a hospital. The methodology is based on a framework for developing dashboards based on three steps: the demand side, supply side, and the fit between the two. An illustrative case of the process of hip surgery in the operating room of two hospitals is used.

Results. A methodology has been developed to define a reliable set of process-oriented performance metrics, allowing analysis and management of the different flows in healthcare in an integrated way, several methods were investigated to automatically integrate the data gathered into a reporting infrastructure that can be used to disseminate the results.

Conclusion. This step-by-step methodology allows healthcare organizations to develop and implement effective process-oriented performance measurement in an automated way. This allows the alignment of the goals of hospital management and various stakeholders with the more analytical analysis of business process management notation and hospital information system (HIS) data.

KEYWORDS:

• Process management
• performance measurement
• hospitals
• quality

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing the paper.

Acknowledgments

This paper is a part of the HIPS project, cofunded by iMinds, a digital research institute founded by the Flemish Government. The project partners are AZ Maria Middelares, AZ Nikolaas, Amaron, Auxcis, and H. Essers, and project support was provided by IWT. We would like to thank Amaron for providing the workflower tool to design the processes.