Dag Bratlid1. 1. Barneklinikken, St. Olavs Hospital, og, Institutt for laboratoriemedisin, barne- og kvinnesykdommer, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, 7006 Trondheim. dag.bratlid@medisin.ntnu.no
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In Norway, waiting lists generated by the national VENTSYS system are used for hospital management and resource allocation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from monthly reports from VENTSYS and the hospital's annual reports. General development in waiting parameters was analysed for the period 1997-2002. The number of patients waiting in January 2002 was compared to the total number of treated patients in 2001 (capacity). RESULTS: Waiting list numbers were stable. The number of patients on the lists corresponded to only 8% of patients treated. There was no correlation between capacity and number of patients on waiting lists for more than twelve months, or between capacity and average length of time on a list. Only a few departments had waiting lists corresponding to more than a few months' throughput. INTERPRETATION: Long waiting lists and waiting time are better explained by poor patient logistics and booking systems than by lack of resources.
BACKGROUND: In Norway, waiting lists generated by the national VENTSYS system are used for hospital management and resource allocation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from monthly reports from VENTSYS and the hospital's annual reports. General development in waiting parameters was analysed for the period 1997-2002. The number of patients waiting in January 2002 was compared to the total number of treated patients in 2001 (capacity). RESULTS: Waiting list numbers were stable. The number of patients on the lists corresponded to only 8% of patients treated. There was no correlation between capacity and number of patients on waiting lists for more than twelve months, or between capacity and average length of time on a list. Only a few departments had waiting lists corresponding to more than a few months' throughput. INTERPRETATION: Long waiting lists and waiting time are better explained by poor patient logistics and booking systems than by lack of resources.