A social network analysis-based approach to evaluate workflow and quality in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

David A. Munoz, Windy Alonso, Harriet Black Nembhard

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) provide care for children at imminent risk of death. Coordination of physicians and nurses is critical to ensure the provision of quality care. In addition, clinicians' workflow, especially for nurses, is complex and fragmented, and therefore, it should be carefully assessed. In this research, we propose a Social Network Analysis-based approach combined with Quality Improvement (QI) principles to provide a framework to assess workflow and identify current factors that could affect clinical efficiency and nurse satisfaction. The tools provided were valuable to assess and visualize complexity and fragmentation of nursing workflow. According to the analysis conducted nurses spend on average 21% of their time in patient monitoring, 24% in collaboration, 27% in documentation, 10% in transit, 7% in medication, and 11% in miscellaneous activities. Network graphs were developed to provide visualization of workflow inefficiencies and to better understand relationships and connections between tasks. These results were utilized in the development of QI tools to investigate root causes of clinical inefficiencies and nursing dissatisfaction in more detail.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationIIE Annual Conference and Expo 2014
PublisherInstitute of Industrial Engineers
Pages3984-3993
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9780983762430
StatePublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes
EventIIE Annual Conference and Expo 2014 - Montreal, Canada
Duration: May 31 2014Jun 3 2014

Publication series

NameIIE Annual Conference and Expo 2014

Conference

ConferenceIIE Annual Conference and Expo 2014
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityMontreal
Period5/31/146/3/14

Keywords

  • Clinical efficiency
  • Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
  • Quality improvement
  • Social network analysis
  • Workflow assessment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Control and Systems Engineering

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