Improving bed management at AU Health

Building a successful bed management system

Augusta University Health (AU Health) was looking for validation and implementation support to achieve future-state process workflows with a new bed capacity management system.

The new bed management system aligns closely with earlier operational recommendations, including performance improvement, standardization, and change management initiatives for increased throughput and improved communications.

Philips consultants helped to develop new processes aimed to providing real-time views of current census for incoming/outgoing patients. By initiating these changes it is anticipated that AU Health will receive many successful outcomes within the first year, such as:

Improved bed management service performance
Reduced Length of Stay (LOS) index and bed request cycles
Achieve $1.1m savings as a result of the program

Excellent processes have been implemented resulting in system alignment and integration of clinical throughput utilizing the newly implemented Bed Management System. Performance Improvement outcomes aligned with this project are reflecting enhancements with key metrics such as bed assignment times, discharge complete times, and transport times.”

-Laura Brower, RN

VP, Chief Nursing Officer, & Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs AU Health System

Our Approach

The Philips consultants developed a future-state bed management system to increase transparency and standardization, reduce manual and duplicative efforts, and improve communications.

Working closely with AU Health stakeholders, the team implemented change management programs and approved performance improvement metrics, targets, and measurement processes.

A monitoring plan was also put in place to help achieve the established targets and create a sustainable model for continued improvement.

Philips created new bed management process workflows to improve efficiencies and provide transparency.

Results*

The new bed management processes will help AU Health to improve efficiency and communication, providing real-time views of current census for incoming/outgoing patients.

AU Health has achieved the following results, six months post implementation:

28% reduction in the time between when bed is requested to bed assignment
Transportation trips taking under 25 minutes to complete has increased by 27%
On track for achieving $1.1m savings as a result of the program

Meet our team

Lisa Wondrely, RN, PMP

Senior Consulting Manager
Healthcare Transformation Services, Philips

Lisa helps hospitals and healthcare systems identify operational and financial performance improvement opportunities. She collaborates with clients to shape measurable indicators and guide organizations through planning, implementation, and sustaining clinical performance improvement to advance the patient experience, eliminate waste, and reduce costs.

Learn more about our Performance Improvement and Clinical Consulting Services

Contact us
Shyma Ramalingam

Consultant
Healthcare Transformation Services, Philips

Shyma supports the delivery of strategic consulting services using her expertise in performance improvement, strategic consulting, project management, and data analysis. She has held various consulting roles in the healthcare industry, creating and implementing unique solutions for complex health systems. She holds both an MS and BS in biomedical engineering from Northwestern University.

Learn more about our Performance Improvement and Clinical Consulting Services

Contact us

Related capabilities

Learn more about our healthcare consulting services for your organization

Customer stories in clinical optimization

Creating a clinical services plan to support long-term growth

Learn how Philips helped AU Health develop a comprehensive plan for actionable clinical growth

Read more
Decreasing hospital alarm fatigue by establishing a clinical alarm management policy

Philips clinical consultants reviewed alarm data and settings to provide change initiatives and training recommendations

Read more
Transforming care at Augusta University Health

Learn how Philips clinical expertise and strategic support helped Augusta University Health achieve growth, improve efficiency and enhance patient experience.

Read more

*Results from case studies are not predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary.

View Archives