Maximising performance of a hospital’s HBOT laboratory using the theory of constraints

Purpose: The paper presents an application of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) aimed at defining and maximising the potential of hyperbaric chamber as a key resource in a specialist hospital. Design/methodology/approach: The authors developed their own TOC based method of process improvement, supported by tools of Lean Management. Various constraints including an external one were taken into consideration. As a follow-up a project using the method was carried out in a hospital’s Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy laboratory. Findings: The developed and implemented practical solution has improved patients’ access to the service at about 40% per day, shortened patients’ waiting time at about 90% and helped to overcome the threat of financial underperformance. Moreover, in combination with strict safety rules, the solution has proven its high resistance against difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Research limitations/implications: A hyperbaric therapy is a narrow branch of medicine, therefore application of the method in other healthcare domains will require an appropriate adaptation. Practical implications: Despite the narrow subject of the study, the described approach is universal and can be used to maximise the capacity utilisation of various critical resources in hospitals and other healthcare providers. Originality/value: This is the first known to the authors application of a TOC/Lean based systematic hybrid approach to improve performance of a healthcare provider, which is taking into account several constraints including an external one. Additionally, this is the first paper on TOC in healthcare published in Poland.