Reducing MRI Waiting Time - Research Proposal Example

Reducing MRI Waiting Time Introduction The Bahrain Defense Force Medical Services locally known as the BDF hospital is one of the largest hospitals in the kingdom of Bahrain. The hospital offers services to citizens who are not civilians especially those who work in the Bahrain Defense Force or those who worked in the forces before. The hospital offers its services free of charge making it a remarkable facility since it offers the best health services in Bahrain. In 1968, the hospital was established as a Ministry of Defense unit whereby it was referred to as the National Guard during that time. Since then the facility has seen three phases of expansion marking it one of the largest hospital facility in the kingdom of Bahrain (Bahrain Defense Forces Medical services, 2013). The last phase was done in 1992 where the hospital had wings specialized in cardiology, radiology among others. Over the years the facility has achieved a lot to a pint where it is ranked the second best hospital in Bahrain. This project proposal aims at reducing the time patients have to wait in order to get a Magnetic Resonance Imaging or the period they have to wait in order to get their results. It aims at coming up with a solution that will significantly reduce the time to at least six weeks or preferably a month. Currently, patients usually wait for up to three and a half months in order for them to get an MRI scan. This is because of the fact that the facility has only one MRI machine. The need for Change Clearly, there is need for something to be done in order to reduce the time it takes for patients to get an MRI significantly. There are various reasons why the time taken for a patient to get an MRI to be reduced to less six week or less than a month. Firstly, MRI helps in detecting diseases and conditions that are impossible to detect using traditional medical examination methods such as blood sampling (Prasad, 2006). Such conditions include cancer. It is a known factor that the earlier cancer is detected the more the chances of recovery. Thus, if the time is greatly reduced then it will help in saving many lives. Secondly, after a study undertaken in imaging department it was revealed that there was a pile of cases waiting to be performed an MRI. Among these cases, a significant percentage of the patients had already died by the time they were to be given an MRI. The research revealed the need for change in the department since it was crucial for cases not to pile up since it resulted in backlogging. The research also revealed the need for a system to by formulated where the request for an MRI to be performed on patients would be classified on urgency in order to limit the number of patients who died before their condition could be treated just because they were unable to get an MRI performed due to the long time they wait. Impact of the Change After adopting the proposed change to the imaging department there will be positive impacts in the hospital and the country in general. Firstly, the hospital will be able to perform MRIs on patients more effectively since the waiting time will have significantly reduce. This will make the work of the staff easier since issues such as case backlogging will be a thing of the past. This good organization of the department will result in the saving of many lives since conditions will be discovered early enough enabling the doctors to rectify or treat them (Link, 2011). The change will also result in other hospital adopting the same proposal result in the general health of the citizens. This is because, other hospitals will aim at following in the footsteps of the BDF hospital since it being the second best hospital in the kingdom, it is a pace setter. Threats and Obstacles Just like any project, it is expected that our team will be met with some obstacles in formulating and implementing the project. Firstly, the hospital is run by Bahrain Defense Forces where there is a lot of bureaucracy. These is an obstacle the project might face since there are high ranking officers who are opposed to change yet we must get approval from them. Another obstacle the project might face is the lack of enough resources. This is where the Ministry might view the proposed cost as too much forcing the reduction of both personnel and other recourses. Another obstacle is the sensitive nature of the Bahrain Defense Force, where outside help is very minimal. This will be an obstacle since the team will need to borrow ideas from other countries that had experience the same problem Proposed Methods The team came up with methods that would ensure that the long time that it takes for someone to get an MRI performed would significantly reduce. The methods proposed however, does not include the accusation of other MRI machines thus proposed solution were fit to be implemented with regard to the use of one MRI machine. The team came up with a five-step solution. The first step was known as A3 where staff from the imaging department is to be trained on how to implement the proposed methods. The second step is the Green Belt which is a training program involving defining, measuring, analyzing improving, and controlling (DMAIC) protocol which will run for 12 months. The third step is the Kalzen, which will involve five days training on implementing countermeasures such as complete digitization of patient records and order of urgency. The fourth step will include the Blue Belt which will involve the training of departmental leaders and managers on the importance and process of focusing on daily management of the imaging department specifically the processes, systems and tools. Finally, the project will conclude with the fifth step which is the Black Belt which will take 12 months where large value streams will be involved specifically lean advanced Sigma tools. All these processes are to be borrowed from a project undertaken by the Akron Children’s Hospital that resulted in the waiting time being reduced to days (Chad D & Musitano A, 201). My Role in the Organization My role in the organization as team leader is to ensure that the project is undertaken in a swift way that will use minimal cost and time while making sure that the project meets its goal (Capper, 1998). In order to ensure this happens, I will have to carry out the duties of management such as planning, controlling, and organizing among others. For example, I will have to ensure that I organize the team into several sub teams where each team will be assigned different tasks (ONeal, 2002. It is my responsibility to follow up on the team to ensure that each team meets the deadline and performs their duties with at a lot of diligence. Gantt Chart Conclusion Undertaking the proposed project is crucial for the facility in order for it to change the imaging department. MRI machines are too expensive hence it is hard difficult for the establishment to buy a new magnetic imaging resonance (Kuperman, 2000). However, if the proposed changes are implemented by the hospital, then there will be no need of buying another machine since the project will result in remarkable changes. Similar projects have revolutionized imaging departments in various hospitals in the world. For the project to be implemented and it to work well there will be need for the provision of resources by both the hospital and the ministry of Defense. References Bahrain Defense Forces Medical services, 2013. History. Retrieved From: https://www.bdfmedical.org/en/index.php?option=com_co ntent&view=article&id=138&Itemid=112 Capper R, 1998. A Project-by-project Approach to Quality: A Practical Handbook for Individuals, Teams, and Organizations. London: Gower Publishing. Print Chad D & Musitano A, 2011. Reducing Wait for MRI Exams Gives Akron Children’s Hospital Competitive Edge. Retrieved from: https://www.asq.org Kuperman V, 2000. Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Physical Principles and Applications. Massachusetts: Academic Press. Print Link T, 2011. Cartilage Imaging: Significance, Techniques, and New Development. New York: Springer. Print ONeal K, 2002. Powerful Project Proposals: Presenting to Big Shots. New York: AuthorHouse. Print Prasad P, 2006. Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Methods and Biologic Applications. New York: Springer. print Read More