Northern Highlands Hospital is evaluating its admissions process by measuring the time elapsed between patient check-in and arrival in the clinical area. The present process involves a patient checking in at a centralized area and providing information to an admissions specialist. After being admitted, the patient is escorted from the admissions area to the appropriate clinical area in the hospital. Average lead time information is as follows:

The hospital staffs one person at check-in and one person at the admissions desk. There is one dedicated escort. 

a. Determine the non-value-added lead time in this process.

b. Determine the value-added ratio of this process.

c. Identify some areas where the hospital could make improvements to increase the value-added ratio of this process.

Transcribed Image Text:

Average Lead Time 15 min. Wait in line at check-in window Check in (one check-in service line) Wait in check-in area for admissions desk Give information at admissions desk (one desk) Wait for escort in check-in area Go with escort to clinical area Total lead time to arrive at clinical area 5 30 10 15 5 80 min.