SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Revealing Patient Care Delays in Real-Time With Excel-Based Dashboard to Optimize Patient Care, Throughput and Length of Stay

Revealing Patient Care Delays in Real-Time With Excel-Based Dashboard to Optimize Patient Care, Throughput and Length of Stay

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This project addressed a common hospital problem: delays in imaging and fragmented communication can slow patient care, increase length of stay (LOS), and reduce throughput. To improve visibility and accountability, the team developed a Microsoft Excel–based dashboard using real-time data from Cerner PowerChart and Discern Reporting. The dashboard pulled raw data on imaging orders, final read status, and discharge status, linked by encounter number, and automatically organized it into dynamic tables.<br /><br />The tool grouped patients by encounter type, study status, and elapsed time, while also displaying order age, current LOS, and expected LOS. Color coding was used to flag urgency based on department-agreed time thresholds. These flagged delays, called “escalations,” were emailed twice daily to department heads so issues could be addressed quickly.<br /><br />Initial use on the observation service was associated with improved LOS for observation patients. Based on that success, the dashboard was expanded to the inpatient service line. Feedback from department heads and executive leadership suggested that the tool improved coordination, transparency, and accountability across departments.<br /><br />Overall, the dashboard served as a low-cost, practical way to uncover time-sensitive delays in imaging and support proactive patient management. The authors suggest that this model could be adapted by other hospitals aiming to improve patient care, throughput, and LOS. Future work may examine effects on patient satisfaction and cost savings.

Asset Subtitle

Salman Ali

Meta Tag

Author List Alejandro Mosquera, Alexander Formoso, Andres Soto, Ivan Castillo, Jenny De La Nuez, Liana Ruiz, Salman Ali

Category Innovations

Concept Dashboard

Concept Length of Stay

Concept Real-Time Data

Concept Expected Length of Stay

Concept Hospital Data

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Baptist Health South Florida

Presenting Author Salman Ali

Track Value in Hospital Medicine

Keywords

hospital dashboard

imaging delays

patient throughput

length of stay

Cerner PowerChart

Discern Reporting

Excel dashboard

real-time data

escalation alerts

patient care coordination

Dashboard

Length of Stay

Real-Time Data

Expected Length of Stay

Hospital Data