Title: Enabling innovative healthcare delivery through the use of the focused factory model: the case of the spine clinic of the future

Authors: N. Wickramasinghe, J.W. Bloemendal, A.K. De Bruin, J.J. Krabbendam

Addresses: Computer and Information Science, James J. Nance College of Business Administration, Cleveland State University, 1860 East 18th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114-3610, USA. ' DePuy Acromed, Computerweg 14, 3821 AB Amersfoort, The Netherlands. ' Faculty of Technology and Management, University of Twente, Postbus 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands. ' Faculty of Technology and Management, University of Twente, Postbus 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands

Abstract: This paper discusses the concept of the focused factory model. We highlight that the focused factory model combines one of the key generic strategies identified by Michael Porter (1985) and the ideas and concepts from manufacturing. The genesis of this model has its roots in trying to restore the competitive edge for manufacturing in the US. We assert that this model has much benefit for healthcare and, by applying such a model to the structuring of healthcare facilities, we can realise the benefits of this model that have been experienced in manufacturing; namely, we can achieve a competitive edge to healthcare delivery. We illustrate our ideas by presenting the design for a new Spine Clinic in the Netherlands.

Keywords: healthcare facilities; healthcare delivery; work flow; focused factory; spine clinic; information technology; health management information systems; knowledge management; The Netherlands; clinic design; facilities design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2005.006086

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2005 Vol.2 No.1, pp.90 - 110

Published online: 02 Feb 2005 *

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