Process mapping of PTA and stent placement in a university hospital interventional radiology department

OBJECTIVE To apply the process mapping technique in an interdisciplinary approach in order to visualize, better understand, and efficiently organize percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stent placement procedures in a university hospital's interventional radiology department. METHODS After providing an overview of seven established mapping techniques for medical professionals, the process mapping technique was chosen and applied in an interdisciplinary approach including referrers (physicians, nurses, and other staff in referring departments, e.g., vascular surgery), providers (interventional radiologists, nurses, technicians, and staff of the angiography suite), and specialists of the hospital's controlling department. RESULTS A generally binding and standardized process map was created, describing the entire procedure for a patient in whom the radiological intervention of PTA or stent treatment is contemplated from admission to the department of vascular surgery until discharge after successful treatment. This visualization tool assists in better understanding (especially given natural staff fluctuation over time) and efficiently organizing PTA and stent procedures. CONCLUSION Process mapping can be applied for streamlining workflow in healthcare, especially in interdisciplinary settings. By defining exactly what a business entity does, who is responsible, to what standard a process should be completed, and how the success can be assessed, this technique can be used to eliminate waste and inefficiencies from the workplace while providing high-quality goods and services easily, quickly, and inexpensively. MAIN MESSAGES Process mapping can be used in a university hospital's interventional radiology department. • Process mapping can describe the patient's entire process from admission to PTA/stent placement until discharge. • Process mapping can be used in interdisciplinary teams (e.g., referrers, providers, and controlling specialists). • Process mapping can be used in order to more efficiently organize PTA and stent placement procedures. • Process mapping can assist in better understanding and efficiently organizing procedures in standardized fashion.