Keeping track of progress; learning from DHL

It's a long story, but the short version ends with my handbag needing to be sent from Stockholm to Buckinghamshire in England. This experience has left me wondering why it is we find it so difficult to keep track of patients within a hospital, let alone across systems.

From time of pick-up to signature at home I could watch the 24-hour journey unfold (one click on a weblink, no data entry). I could see what action was being taken at each stage. If you're interested you can see the detailed information below (it's not the greenest of journeys...). It took only 2 minutes from the time of signature for the information to appear on the system.

Yes, patients are not parcels. Patient information also requires a certain degree of confidentiality management. However, I wonder what it would be like if within hospitals (let's start somewhere simple) we were able to keep track of the inpatient, figure out in which corridor they are now, how long they have been waiting for their scan, whether they have had their meal etc. This information will provide insight into the systems and the patient's experience. Maybe we could start by monitoring blood samples in this way as they are already bar coded. Maybe we could start with a system to help keep track of patients in the hospital for who speaking is difficult, such as those with dementia, stroke or some other disabling condition.

I wonder what else we can learn from DHL about how to monitor and improve pathways using technology?


585907200 - Detailed Report
Date Time Location Service Area Checkpoint Details
Oktober 18, 2009
11:59

Arlanda - Sweden Försändelse hämtad
Oktober 19, 2009
18:04

Arlanda - Sweden Processed at Arlanda - Sweden
Oktober 19, 2009
18:28

Arlanda - Sweden Skickad från Arlanda - Sweden
Oktober 19, 2009
18:49

Arlanda - Sweden Anlänt till DHL i Arlanda - Sweden
Oktober 19, 2009
19:48

Arlanda - Sweden Lämnat avsändare
Oktober 19, 2009
19:55

Arlanda - Sweden Processed at Arlanda - Sweden
Oktober 19, 2009
22:16

Arlanda - Sweden Skickad från Arlanda - Sweden
Oktober 20, 2009
00:15

Leipzig - Germany Anlänt till DHL i Leipzig - Germany
Oktober 20, 2009
00:46

Leipzig - Germany Processed at Leipzig - Germany
Oktober 20, 2009
03:27

Leipzig - Germany Skickad från Leipzig - Germany
Oktober 20, 2009
05:28

London-Heathrow - UK Skickad via London-Heathrow - UK
Oktober 20, 2009
05:37

London-Heathrow - UK Skickad från London-Heathrow - UK
Oktober 20, 2009
05:51

London-Heathrow - UK Anlänt till DHL i London-Heathrow - UK
Oktober 20, 2009
06:18

London-Heathrow - UK Processed at London-Heathrow - UK
Oktober 20, 2009
06:41

London-Heathrow - UK Skickad från London-Heathrow - UK
Oktober 20, 2009
07:33

Gatwick - UK Anlänt till DHL
Oktober 20, 2009
09:12

Gatwick - UK Ute för leverans med kurir
Oktober 20, 2009
10:39

Gatwick - UK Signatur