Operating Room Utilization and Throughput, Essay Example

Introduction

A business plan marks a road map to the direction of a business. Regardless of whether a business is on the start, or it has existed for some time, a business plan is always necessary. The business plan defines the direction, the business key objectives, at least for the next three to five years and the method employed for their achievement (Bewayo, 2010). It gives directions, timelines, and daily activities all aimed at achieving the set goals. This paper seeks to develop a mini Business Plan to Improve Operating Room Utilization and Throughput.

A mini business plan contains:

• Cover page

This contains the name of business, location, and type of business. Its wording may vary depending on the developer.

• An executive summary / brief statement

The need for Improving Operating Room Utilization and Throughput developed due to the projected increase in patient volume. The project aims at facilitating patient flow throughout the preoperative process. The case scheduling process marks the key system in the functioning of the Operating Room. The project aims at coordinating: the urgency of surgery

• Schedules of patients
• Schedule of the surgeons
• Schedule of the anesthesiologists
• Availability of the surgical room, X-ray, bed, and the pathology room
• Availability of the staff and equipment other services such as X-Ray and Pathology; and
• Bed availability

For effective and efficient operations, the case schedule is crucial.  There are established procedures and policies forming the basis for case scheduling. This enables coordination of all special requirements of patients.

Company analysis and management team

Management of the project will proceed just as in the existing health facility. However, there will be employment of new departmental heads in areas of deficit.  Evaluations of the viability of the project will take effect after six months. Thereafter areas of weakness identified and improvements implemented accordingly.

• The target customer

Patients form the main beneficiaries of the proposed project. The Pre-Admissions process at Premier fragmented with approximately only 20% of the patients evaluated at the three Premier Center site. In fact, 80% of the patients come from the surrounding locations. They will benefit by having to a shorter waiting period, and the well-coordinated staff. However, they will have to pay more for the proficient services, a way forward to earning some income.

Personnel skills and resources/ staffing

An additional project in an already existing one would need either more staff or call for the existing staff to work extra.  Increasing case time effectiveness requires imposition of more specific and focused scheduling rules, which the staff would adapt, it also requires the possible redesign of supporting processes (Bewayo, 2010). Improve Operating Room Utilization and Throughput would place the responsibility on everyone involved in the daily operations. For efficiency of services under limited staff, there will be a necessity to minimize between case delays by ensuring first case starts on time. The whole process could require reconfigurations in staff utilization and composition, including the PACU.

The Orthopedics will require additional new surgeons as he is currently requesting more Block time to accommodate the new surgeons. Currently he performs the most number of “After Hour” surgeries, followed by General Surgery and Cardiac Surgery.

Both the Anesthesia and Nursing staffs will make an effort to gather all necessary consents and clearances then perform the appropriate assessments (Anyim et al, 2012). However, most of the involved staff would find difficulties in doing assessments due to the expected larger number of patients. For Anesthesia patients, for example, it often forces nurses to conduct their initial assessment directly in the waiting area. Nurses will need to look on-line or in books of records to ascertain that, the required tests are completed. There is a likelihood of straining staff for successful completion of the project.

SWOT analysis

In evaluating the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in your business, the following results occurred:

Strengths: the project is extremely viable one; generally accepted by the community. It will have advantages to patients, and the facility will gain fame from its performance. The possibility of significant results is exceptionally high. It has a firm competitive advantage in the market scenario.

Weaknesses: the staff is more likely to strain to give feasible results in the operation of the business. The costs associated with the new project are also likely to be extremely high.

Opportunity: the whole project marks a remarkable opportunity to generate income from patients. The patients will find it worthy to pay more for the efficient services. There is a possibility of expansion of the whole project in the next four to five years. The government may find the project viable, thus inject some help in terms of finances.

Threats: other health facilities with reserved cash would steal the idea and construct the unit before we do it. Thus, these competitors would be at a better position to win our target customers.

Financial Plan: a well-qualified accountant will take the role of financial planning of the project. The management team will develop a well-stated documentary that covers the budget, while rendering viable cash flow books.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a mini business plan is just but a short stated business plan. A business cannot do without a business plan. It reflects the business in broader terms to impress the staff, investors, lenders, potential hires, potential business partners, and potential buyers.

References

Anyim, Francis C., Mba, Samuel E.,  Ekwoaba, Joy O. (2012), The Imperative of Integrating Corporate Business Plan with Manpower Planning. International Journal of Business & Management. Vol. 7 (8), p56-62.

Bewayo, Edward. (2010), Business Plans: Why Do We Teach Proceedings of the Northeast Business & Economics Associationp. P.492-496.