Abstract 268: Using Lean Methodology to Reduce Variation in Care of Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients

Abstract

Background: Regional variation in the utilization of health services is a well-documented phenomenon in health care with numerous studies reporting substantial and unexplained variations in coronary revascularization. In the Canadian province of British Columbia (BC), five cardiac centers provide coronary revascularization services. In 2011 Cardiac Services BC (CSBC) undertook a study that identified substantial regional variation in coronary revascularization that could not be explained by patient characteristics or risk factors. Following this initial project, CSBC launched an initiative to help better understand the regional variations and possibly devise and implement strategies to reduce them. Methods: Using Lean methodology, we are mapping the key processes of care for ACS patients across BC (initially excluding emergent STEMI and cardiogenic shock) at each cardiac centre. The ACS patient journey will be mapped from admission to discharge through several key decision points that determine whether they will continue through to diagnostic catheterization and revascularization or to be medically managed alone. The key decision points are: 1. Decision to refer to diagnostic catheterization and subsequent transfer if necessary. 2. Decision to continue to a revascularization procedure (PCI or CABG) after diagnostic catheterization. The map will summarized these key decision points using multiple sources of data: 1. Flow and patient volumes into and out of each of these decision 2. Times between decision points and key care processes 3. Clinical influencers (ex: standard orders, best practice, established patterns of referral, and consultations) and non-clinical influencers (ex: resource capacity, transportation) that are considered at each decision point (process mapping and interview data). Discussion: BC is attempting to reduce unexplained variation in coronary revascularization using the Lean methodology to take a systematic approach to the analysis of the process of ACS care across the province. Involving physicians and point of care staff in the detailed mapping process has proven to be a significant step in engaging key stakeholders in the project by allowing input into the process of describing the factors affecting variation of practice at each site. The next step is to convene provincially to determine where to improve standardized practice in order to improve patient outcomes at key points along the value stream.