How the Process Improvement Team is Supporting Key Workflows During COVID-19 at Mercy St. Louis

Posted on 04/15/2020 by CATALYSIS

A Vice President of Process Improvement and a Lean Specialist are managing the day-to-day process development, questions fielding, and workflow development for:

Workflow and criteria for COVID-19 testing for physicians and providers
Database and process for notifying physicians and patients of results
Infection control processes and workflows, including PPE standards, education, and electronic mechanism for observations by PPE Evaluation Personnel (PPEEPs)
PPE conservation practices and processes, including monitoring by PPEEPs ensure compliance; supplies inventory updates 2X day
Process for donations of PPE, sources, and resources for emergency backup options, such as handsewn items
Visitor policies and restrictions, including the screening criteria and processes
Patient/Family communication process with passcodes
Ongoing labor pool resource and database process
MD/provider hotlines (ring into Command Center) for vetting testing criteria and process
COVID unit patient placement, maps, and flow
Process for “call ahead” for positive patients coming to the ED after a positive result
Leader and coworker hotlines (ring into Command Center) for vetting FAQs (to relieve Employee Health and Infection Prevention nurses)
Assistance with process/workflows for offsite testing and evaluation sites
Manage daily updates documentation for Leaders group and for daily 3pm call
Monday/Wednesday/Friday 7:45 am webx for larger leaders group communication
Signage creation and lamination, and other visual management for visitors, screening, restrictions, hand hygiene, etc.
Management of vital phone numbers

The modified command center is staffed from 7a-7p. In addition to the VP and Lean Specialist, hospital directors serve in the command center for a 6 hour shift from 7a- 1p and another from 1p-7p.

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