DIGITISATION


A single view electronic bed capacity management system (eBCMS).


utilisation, and department status, facilitating collaboration among staff teams and improving the overall patient experience. By integrating data from multiple sources, it removes the risk of any information being missed, misunderstood, or duplicated, and minimises the chances of human inaccuracy that may lead to error. This enhances patient safety, improves efficiency, promotes better collaboration, and boosts staff satisfaction.


Bed capacity management: a vital component of hospital efficiency Another area which is critical to the smooth functioning of a hospital is bed capacity management. It serves as the backbone for optimising patient flow, resource allocation, and overall operational efficiency.


Hospitals face the constant challenge of juggling bed availability. Finding available beds takes time, leading to frustrating delays for patients waiting for admission, transfer, or discharge. This inefficiency also burdens nurses with bed searches, detracting from direct patient care. However, by strategically managing the


availability of beds, hospitals can ensure that patients receive timely care, while also preventing overcrowding and underutilisation of resources. Recent years have seen a growth in the adoption of Electronic Bed Capacity Management systems (eBCMS) which are designed to optimise the allocation and utilisation of hospital beds. By providing real-time data on bed occupancy, patient flow, and resource availability, eBCMS empower hospitals to make informed decisions about patient placement, discharge planning, and resource allocation. Unlike traditional manual bed management systems, eBCMS offer a dynamic and comprehensive overview of a hospital’s bed capacity, enabling staff to foresee bed demand, identify bottlenecks in patient flow and proactively manage bed shortages. This leads to improved


IFHE DIGEST 2025


Efficient handling of support service assignments that can be integrated with all departments.


patient care, reduced wait times and increased operational efficiency. eBCMS also facilitate better


communication and collaboration among healthcare teams. By providing a shared view of bed availability, they enhance coordination between departments, such as emergency departments, inpatient units, and discharge planning teams. This ultimately leads to a smoother patient journey and improved patient outcomes. Bed capacity management is also


crucial for financial sustainability. Optimal bed utilisation maximises revenue while minimising costs. By forecasting patient demand and aligning bed availability with patient needs, hospitals can improve operational efficiency and financial performance.


A shift towards more advanced task management solutions In the drive to improve efficiencies, many hospitals are reassessing the way they manage hospital support services. These services are the backbone of healthcare operations, encompassing a wide range of functions essential to the smooth running of a hospital. They include everything from cleaning and maintenance to portering, catering, and security. Increasing patient volumes, coupled


with resource constraints, have resulted in the wider adoption of advanced solutions for task management. Recognising the limitations of manual and paper-based systems, hospitals are increasingly turning to digital tools and platforms to streamline operations. These systems offer a centralised hub for managing tasks, improving efficiencies, and enhancing communication.


Digital task management systems


provide real-time visibility into workloads, enabling managers to allocate resources effectively and respond promptly to changes in patient flow or emergencies. These platforms often incorporate features such as task prioritisation, automated reminders and progress


tracking, ensuring that tasks are completed on time and to the required standard. Furthermore, digital systems can generate valuable data on task performance, allowing for process improvement and identification of bottlenecks. The digital platform developed by DNV


Imatis, for example, connects clinical, ward, housekeeping, catering, and porterage teams on a single platform and in real time, eliminating communication bottlenecks. Staff can efficiently handle task assignment, updates and tracking via an interactive interface on digital whiteboards or on their mobile devices. To maintain a ‘closed loop’ process, declined or unaccepted tasks are automatically progressed to the next available person which minimises the risk of communication gaps or missing details. With clear and concise information about the task, including priority, location and required resources provided, staff are able to prioritise their workload effectively and respond to urgent requests promptly. Each support service staff member manages their own task load by accepting or rejecting incoming tasks and using the worklist of active tasks. This ensures that tasks are assigned to the most suitable personnel, minimising response times and maximising resource utilisation. Smart task assignment can be based on zones, wards or other pre-defined options, reducing the travel between each task and ensuring more efficient use of staff members' time. By tracking task completion times, staff


performance and equipment usage, hospital management can identify areas for improvement, optimise workflows and measure the overall effectiveness of support services.


Alarm management: balancing safety and efficiency Alarms are indispensable tools in healthcare, designed to alert staff to potential patient deterioration. However, studies have shown that alarm fatigue can


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