Applying Project Management Methodology in Patient Centered Care Projects/Programs

Patient Centered Care concept is gathering momentum across the globe. Healthcare providers have started recognizing the importance of enhancing patient Experience. Various Projects as given below can be undertaken to improve patient centered care;

·         Patient Flow Optimization
·         Reducing Patient Waiting Time
·         Patient Experience Surveys
·         Setting up Pre-Operating Screening Clinic
·         Improving Discharge Process

To get the best outcome from the projects, it is recommended to apply a standard project management methodology.

Project Management Methodology

1.      Project Initiation Stage

•      Project Brief/Mandate

•      Feasibility Study – market research and technical feasibility

•      Project Business Case

•      Project Charter

•      Project Scope

2.      Project Planning Stage

•      Project Schedule or Plan

•      WBS/Activities/Tasks

•      Resource Identification and Assigning

•      Identifying Major Milestones

3.      Project Execution/Delivery Stage (Solution Development & Implementation)

•      Data Collection & Analysis

•      Demand & Capacity Modeling

•      Requirements Gathering and Analysis

•      Current State and Future State Process Mapping

•      Gap Analysis

•      Co-Design/Develop Solutions

•      Solution Approval

•      Testing/Pilot

•      Training Staff

•      Implementation

•      Onsite Support

4.      Project Closing Stage

•      Performance Monitoring & Review

•      Ensuring Sustainability

•      Handing Over Products/ Solutions to Operations Team

•      Developing Project Handover Report

•      Project Closure

For the greater clarity, below, I am giving an example of applying project management methodology in Restructuring Outpatient Clinic Project;

Project Title: Restricting Outpatient Clinics

(Steps based on project management methodology)

1.      Project Initiation Stage

•      Develop Project Charter

•      Develop Project Scope & Business Case

2. Project Planning Stage

•      Developing Project Plan

•      Work Breakdown

•      Assigning Resources

•      Developing Communication Plan

3.      Project Execution/Delivery Stage

•      Data Gathering and Data Analysis

•      Current Process Mapping

•      Future Process Mapping

•      Gap Analysis

•      Clinic Flow optimization

•      Clinic Restructuring

•      Clinic Building (Medicom)

•      Data Migration

•      Overbooking, Evening Clinics

•      Reducing Appointment Wait Time

•      Patient Referral Management

•      Center – call & SMS

•      Qmatic System

•      Patient Registration

•      Nurse Assessment

•      Doctor Consultation

•      Lab, X-Ray

•      Patient Re-vist for Doctor

•      End User Training

•      Project Go-Live

4.       Project Closing Stage

•      Providing Onsite Implementation Support

•      Monitoring Project Performance for 3 months

•      Reviewing Project Solution based on the Performance Review

•      Developing Capability in the hospital for the long term sustainability

•      Knowledge Transfer

•      Developing Project Closure Report

•      Handing over the project to the hospital operations team

•      Releasing Project Resources

•      Project Handover