Article Text
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic presented many challenges, one of which was the necessity to provide a large number of COVID-19 vaccines at scale within a short period of time.
Aims and Objectives To use process mapping to ensure maximum efficiency flows of patients through a High Output COVID vaccination centre during the COVID-19 pandemic and utilize lean methodology and six sigma methods to ensure maximum output within both time and resource constraints in primary care.
Methods Using process mapping and patient flow mapping, we were able to study various permutations of COVID-19 vaccine pathways from booking to vaccine delivery. The service was challenged by practices to deliver the most effective patient vaccine volumes within a given time frame ensuring patients could be streamed through the vaccine centres with maximal efficiency. The high output vaccine model could ensure a maximum uptake of 2500 vaccines in one working day. Following the initial pilots, the process flow mapping enabled the application of lean methodology and six sigma to reduce inefficiency and duplication. The design was implemented across three sites across the Basildon, Billericay and Wickford areas optimising workflow and execution of large volumes of vaccine delivery during the national immunisation programme.
Results The methodology enabled a process flow map that would provide the most clinical and cost effective patient flow through the high output vaccine hub ensuring maximum numbers could be vaccinated in the given time.
Conclusions The QI methodology enabled a cost effective and clinically effective high output vaccine hub to provide up to 2500 vaccines in one day, across three sites in the Basildon and Brentwood, Wickford area.