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Service Block Time Allocation in the US Army Medical Command
Author(s) -
Welder Matthew D.,
Warhurst Keith A.,
Anderson Wesley J.L.,
Salazar Frank D.,
Kertes Steven S.,
Baxter Andrew C.,
Stoddard Douglas R.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
aorn journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1878-0369
pISSN - 0001-2092
DOI - 10.1016/j.aorn.2016.09.003
Subject(s) - block (permutation group theory) , block scheduling , computer science , service (business) , scheduling (production processes) , operations management , business , engineering , mathematics education , mathematics , geometry , marketing
Service block time allocation is a critical requirement for the optimization of patient throughput and access to care in the Surgical Services Service Line of the US Army Medical Command. The procedure complexity, volume, and diversity across 25 facilities create significant variation in service block time. This variation requires the involvement of both the informatics and leadership teams for block time allocation to be effective. This article describes our use of the Army's Surgery Scheduling System, which includes service block time as an embedded function, to develop a standardized process that helps ensure service block time is optimized. We also present guidelines for block time allocation and offer case studies that demonstrate the application of these guidelines.