AHA Solutions, a subsidiary of the American Hospital Association, published the “2012 Patient Flow Challenges Assessment Report,” which identifies hospital professionals’ biggest patient flow challenges and priorities. Respondents indicated that delays from triage to disposition, inadequate discharge planning, patient noncompliance with discharge instructions and limitations on follow-up care are some of the top obstacles to patient flow.
Respondents also reported they were able to improve patient flow by process changes, the assignment of departments or committees to patient flow improvement and the assistance of hospitalists. In addition, hospitals are investing in assets, equipment, staff and patient tracking systems to improve patient flow, according to the release.
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