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. 2024 Apr 1;25(4):1293-1300.
doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.4.1293.

Improving Care Continuity in Oncology Settings: A Lean Management Approach to Minimize Discharges Without Follow-Up Appointments

Shinnona Hamed AlHarthy  1 , Omar Ayaad  2 , Al Ameer Ahmed Al Mashari  1 , Muna Ali AlBalushi  3 , Rawan Ibrahim  2 , Mohammed Hassan Bait Nasib  1 , Razan Al Zadjali  2 , Huda Awaisi  3 , Khalid Al Baimani  2   4
Affiliations

Improving Care Continuity in Oncology Settings: A Lean Management Approach to Minimize Discharges Without Follow-Up Appointments

Shinnona Hamed AlHarthy et al. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. .

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to reduce the number of patients discharged without scheduled follow-up appointments by implementing lean management principles.

Methods: Conducted at the Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Center in Muscat, Oman, the research utilized a one-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design to evaluate the impact of lean management interventions on the rate of patient discharges without follow-up appointments. Strategies such as the Kaizen principle, Gemba Walks, cross-functional collaboration, standard work procedures, and waste reduction were employed to enhance operational efficiency.

Results: Spanning from Quarter 3 of 2022 to Quarter 2 of 2023, the study demonstrated a significant decrease in the percentage of patients discharged without planned follow-up appointments. The rate dropped from 9% in September 2022 to 0% in March 2023, with statistically significant differences observed (X2= 65.05, p value=<.0001).

Conclusion: By effectively implementing lean management principles, this research successfully enhanced care continuity for oncology patients after being discharged.

Keywords: A Lean Management Approach; Care Continuity; Discharges; Follow-Up Appointments; Oncology Settings.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Previous Process for Discharge Patients Home
Figure 2
Figure 2
Root Cause Diagram for Dishcarge Patients without Follow up Appoitement
Figure 3
Figure 3
New Process for Discharge Patients Home
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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