Healthcare logistics in the 1.5 meter society: A planning tool for Dutch hospitals

Due to Covid-19 and the applicable 1.5 meter rule, hospitals can admit fewer patients into their waiting areas and therefore schedule fewer appointments. With a tool developed by the University of Groningen, departments at the Martini Hospital have managed to operate at full capacity again. Goal This study focused on how to limit the number of patients waiting in the waiting room. Research design Four measures have been examined and are part of the tool: Redesigning waiting rooms Reducing the number of appointments Introducing new organizational measures Designing new appointment schedules Results Using the tool, departments at the Martini Hospital have managed to return to full capacity as before corona. "The tool provides appointment schedules, but also provides insight into the effect of practical and organizational measures," says Justin Drupsteen, manager of integrated capacity management at the Martini Hospital. "The combination of a tool, measures and the flexible attitude of doctors means that we are back to pre-corona levels." When making appointment schedules, hospitals try to help as many patients as possible, but now with Covid-19 the waiting room is leading and this requires a different way of planning. "It's great to see that we were able to use inspiration from logistics to develop the tool," says Professor Iris Vis. The tool is available for hospitals and can be viewed on the RUG website .