2010-07 IE&M MSc assignment NKI, Amsterdam

Master thesis project (IEM, MSc):

Analyzing the efficiency of the process of colorectal surgery in Dutch hospitals

In a series of research projects on Focused Factory principles in healthcare and on the efficiency of care processes, this project involves applying a method to establish the degree of efficiency and process alignment of the colorectal care process from an organizational perspective. This method, which uses principles from the Toyota production system (Lean Thinking), has been tried out earlier in cataract surgery.

In 2010 we started a research project in which a staff member (employed by University of Twente) is responsible for the project and in which master students will analyze these processes. This means visiting 10-15 hospitals, examining data and interviewing staff in order to obtain a comprehensive overview of the organization and efficiency of the colorectal care process. This is to be executed in close cooperation with the committee from the surgical association that is responsible for this audit.

This Industrial Engineering/Operations Management part of the project will focus on the relation between process characteristics and quantifying of efficiency measures. For this purpose, quantitative (e.g. simulation, or math. programming) models may have to be developed.

The project will be coordinated by prof. dr. W.H. van Harten, who is member of the Executive Board of the Netherlands Cancer Institute - Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital and Chair in Quality Management of Healthcare Technology at University of Twente, Healthcare Technology and Services Research (HTSR).

Students can approach him for information on: w.h.vanharten@utwente.nl or w.v.harten@nki.nl).

The main part of the work will have to be performed at the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital in Amsterdam and a monthly cost allowance is part of the project.