Question.1116 - Both service and manufacturing organizations are required to evaluate capacity. Explain at least three of the major capacity considerations for a hospital. Provide an evaluation on how hospital capacity considerations differ from a factory.
Answer Below:
The three major considerations for a hospital are Bed capacity, Health care staffing levels, and Equipment and technology. In terms of hospital perspectives, bed capacity are the total number of beds available and its distribution along various units such as emergency, ICU, general, and special wards. Along with this, to optimize bed capacity, managing patient flow, such as admission, treatment, and discharge processes, is also crucial ( Morton & Cornwell, 2009). In terms of healthcare staff levels, they should be in line with the demand for patient care. For example, if a patient is critically ill and requires surgery, he should be cared for by more than two people. A significant aspect should be the availability of skilled doctors, nurses, and support workers ( Morton & Cornwell, 2009). In terms of Equipment and technology, hospitals should have well-diagnosed Medical Equipment with high efficiency and maintenance. Equipment such as MRI or CT scanners requires strategic planning to meet patient demand. Hospital capacity differs from factory in many ways. Hospitals provide services related to healthcare, where the outcome depends on factors like patient health, recovery time, and medical decisions, whereas factories focus on quantity, quality, and efficiency. Hospitals deal with the human aspect of care, and factories focus on optimizing processes and machinery ( Morton & Cornwell, 2009). Overall, both hospitals and factories need to evaluate capacity; the unique nature of healthcare services introduces distinctive challenges and considerations for hospitals that differ from the more standardized and production-oriented approach in manufacturing. References Morton, A., & Cornwell, J. (2009). What’s the difference between a hospital and a bottling factory? BMJ, 339.More Articles From Operation Management