An innovative project led by Dr. Yolanda Aladro, from the Neurology Service, has earned recognition by optimizing the care pathway for multiple sclerosis (MS). This initiative, awarded by the Kaizen company, seeks to improve coordination among various healthcare professionals to increase resource efficiency and to raise both patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes.
The proposal implements a collaborative approach involving various services such as Neurology, Pharmacy, Clinical Analysis, Preventive Medicine, Radiology, Admissions, Informatics, and the Nursing and Management departments. Novartis' collaboration has also been key in this development.
The multidisciplinary team used the LEAN Healthcare methodology, centered on process management, to identify weaknesses in the care pathway. As part of the success of this project, actions have been carried out to reduce bureaucracy. This includes the simplification and automation of requests and appointments, the standardization of medical reports, and the creation of specific forms, which have significantly lightened the administrative workload of the nursing staff.
Additionally, a rapid-access consultation has been implemented and the information flow in Radiology has been optimized to improve test management, speeding up MRI scans, which are essential in the diagnosis of MS.
In turn, the Pharmacy Service has introduced questionnaires to assess the physical and psychological impact on patients, enabling a detailed follow-up of the progression of the disease and the efficacy of various clinical and radiological measures.
These changes not only optimize the use of resources, but also promote better communication and cooperation among professional teams, reaching a level of efficiency and quality in service delivery that has been categorized as disruptive. The Kaizen Awards precisely highlight this capacity for transformation, recognizing innovation in improving healthcare and process management.
