Achieving Impact with Clinical Process Management in Hospitals: An Inspiring Case

In the OECD countries, hospitals face increased financial restrictions and competition. Process orientation is an essential means of remaining competitive. A wide range of theories and concepts relating to clinical process management already exists. When it comes to practical implementation, however, a comprehensive approach for the target-oriented and consistent introduction of clinical process management throughout an entire hospital is missing. This article documents the case of a German hospital that has realised a project of this kind and demonstrates the impacts on cooperation and on operational efficiency, which is understood as the degree to which a hospital is capable of steadily realising short lengths of stay.