QI 111 Improving the Equipment Ordering Process in Children's Therapy Services

Abstract

Aim: To understand the length of time from assessment to handover of equipment for orders placed by the Children’s Community Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Service between 06/02/2019 and 13/03/2020.

The Children's Community and Physiotherapy and OT Service perceived that children were experiencing significant waits for their equipment. They used a SPC chart to look at how long children were waiting from their assessment to the handover of their equipment and to identify where improvements could be made. Changes to local ordering processes were made and PDSA cycles were used to monitor and develop the change ideas.

Tools Used: Driver Diagram - https://aqua.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/qsir-driver-diagrams.pdf; PDSA Cycles - https://aqua.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/qsir-pdsa-cycles-model-for-improvement.pdf; SPC Charts - https://aqua.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/qsir-statistical-process-control.pdf.

Project Impact: The team gained an understanding of their equipment ordering processes and introduced a streamlined process which reduced the time children spent waiting for equipment from an average of 207 days prior to November 2019 to 60 days from November 2019 onwards. A 71% reduction in waiting times.