The concept of XHOSPIpro
XHOSPIpro is applied in hospitals to analyze and optimize the internal product handling. To allow an efficient application of this tool, the concept described as follows was developed:
Clear modular system: modular structure of the internal process chain
The processing chain for the products is classified in clear modules, the so called life cycle bricks, like e.g. transport, sterilization or submission for disposal. The software user examines one brick after the other, so the process is easier to overview than from a view on the the process chain as a whole. Moreover, when a module is once described by data, it can be used repeatedly in life cycles. For example, a transport from central storage to the ward that is defined once in the software, can be used for every product which is transported the same way.
Reducing operating expenses: separation of product, procedure and hospital values
By means of a consequent and clear separation between product values (e.g. weight of the investigated product), procedure values (e.g. water consumption of a washing machine for one application) and hospital values (e.g. staff costs for nursery services) it is possible to minimize the efforts necessary to insert data in the database. The hospital values only have to be inserted once and updated from time to time in one place in the software. They can be assigned to the investigated products with a few mouse clicks.
Concentration on the feasible - consequent limitation on the hospital's sphere of influence
In their sphere of influence hospitals can generate considerable optimization potential. For this reason the system boundaries of XHOSPIpro concentrate on the internal process chain from the purchase to the disposal of products. Enlarging the system boundaries from the internal process chain to a cradle to grave process chain as it is common for Life Cycle Assessment would increase complexity dramatically. The hospital staff would hardly be able to apply the software. More than this, the necessary data would only be available inadequately.
The software also provides instruments for a the utility value analysis. But too many features like e.g. for an all-embracing optimization of the whole surgical process would overload the instrument.
