Discovering role interaction models in the Emergency Room using Process Mining

Abstract

Objectives: A coordinated collaboration among different healthcare professionals in Emergency Room (ER) processes is critical to promptly care for patients who arrive at the hospital in a delicate health condition, claiming for an immediate attention. The aims of this study are (i) to discover role interaction models in (ER) processes using process mining techniques; (ii) to understand how healthcare professionals are currently collaborating; and (iii) to provide useful knowledge that can help to improve ER processes.Methods: A four step method based on process mining techniques is proposed. An ER process of a university hospital was considered as a case study, using 7160 episodes that contains specific ER episode attributes.Results: Insights about how healthcare professionals collaborate in the ER was discovered, including the identification of a prevalent role interaction model along the major triage categories and specific role interaction models for different diagnoses. Also, common and exceptional professional interaction models were discovered at the role level.Conclusions: This study allows the discovery of role interaction models through the use of real-life clinical data and process mining techniques. Results show a useful way of providing relevant insights about how healthcare professionals collaborate, uncovering opportunities for process improvement.