The County Council in Jönköping, Sweden, responsible for delivering health care to 330,000 residents, has overseen a wide and varied array of improvement projects during the past several years, strengthened by their participation in the Pursuing Perfection initiative.
Improving patient flow through the system — by broadly implementing open access scheduling and by simplifying handoffs of patients with multiple needs — has been a focus and strength. For example, at the Jönköping County Orthopedic Clinic, the process of care for patients with wrist injuries — either fractures or carpel tunnel syndrome (CTS) — has been simplified and standardized. Occupational therapists play a bigger role now; patients with CTS and fractures get all their follow-up care from the therapist, seeing the doctor only if needed. “Our goal is for patients to get the right competence at the right time,” says Mari Bergeling-Thorell, Occupational Therapist and Project Leader. “It reduces doctor visits which means less waiting and less expense.”
Another improvement project focused on shortening the journey for patients with wrist fractures who need X-rays. Patients who once waited as long as two-and-a-half hours for an X-ray are now routinely seen in less than half that time. Technology enabling doctors to view X-rays on any computer also helps eliminate wasted time.
More Information
Improving Patient Flow: The Esther Project in Sweden
Profiles in Improvement: Marianne Olsson from the Federation of Swedish County Councils
Charting the Way to Greater Success: Pursuing Perfection in Sweden
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