Wheels in Motion
Successfully Managing Change
Final Report: Revised June 2000
Time Frame: January 1997- July 1998
Team Leader: Linda Corry, Patient and Guest Relations
Team Members:
Judy Cambridge Financial Management
Rose Cheney Housekeeping
Al Eakes Safety and Security
Linda Fink Nursing
Ann Hitchcock Physical Therapy
Myrna Karsten Nursing
Shelley Skemp Radiology
Dave Smith Plant Operations and Maintenance
Melinda McCrory Patient Escort Service
Mitchell Rotman Facility Services VIP Service
Facilitator: Terri Stoner
Team Goals:
This Value Analysis Team reviewed the "system" in place to locate and distribute wheelchairs.
Charge: To review the current request and retrieval system for wheelchairs and offer short-term and long term solutions for locating, purchasing, maintenance of wheelchairs.
Background information:
We are replacing wheelchairs at a rate of 15 per quarter. As new chairs arrive, older chairs are taken out of service and used for parts or repaired. We have had inventory shortages in the past and they have continued as of the last month, but it may be due to the increase in census. The housed outpatient areas often hide wheelchairs for use to carry luggage or as a substitute for walkers. Many Nursing areas are hoarding chairs rather than calling for one as needed. Most people do not know whom to call to get a wheelchair picked up, delivered, or repaired. If a wheelchair is found, people do not know if should be taken back to the lobby.
Recommended cost savings:
The team recommended the assignment one person, Mitch Rotman, Facilities VIP Services, to be responsible for all purchase, inventory, and maintenance of wheelchairs for UI Hospitals and Clinics. He recommended the purchase of additional wheelchairs to insure that we did not have an inventory problem. He has done extensive work to analyze utilization and distribution. He is cycling wheelchairs for preventative maintenance and cleaning on a routine basis. We have not had any recorded shortages for several months. We also have identified areas for wheelchair returns and have publicized the phone number and pager to call for a wheelchair as needed.
Barriers/obstacles to implementation:
Areas are still into hoarding, but we have made inroads. Confidence that they will receive a wheelchair when needed is building each day.
Estimated annualized potential savings and source:
We gained staff and patient confidence that there will be access to a wheelchair as needed
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