Designing an integrated information system to reduce the patient waiting list for elective surgical interventions at a local hospital in Ecuador

Abstract

A public hospital in Ecuador reported a monthly average of 700 patients in the waiting list for elective surgical interventions. This value exceeds the maximum average of 600 patients allowed by the Ministry of Public Health. One main cause for such long list is the use of multiple, unconnected databases in different stages of the process. In this work, we analyzed the system using Lean Six Sigma tools to clearly define the problem statement, its root causes, and to determine improvement actions that will contribute to reducing the average length of the waiting list. We designed an integrated information system to standardize and speed up the process. This system will serve as a foundation to future improvement actions to assist in decision making processes for elective surgical interventions.