Abstract:
This experimental development research with one group pre-test and posttest design aimed to increase the efficiency of short stay service for rheumatology patients. The new working model for rheumatologic patients was developed and implemented for 1 year from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 at Ramathibodi Hospital. The sample consisted of 66 Rheumatologic patient services, 2 executive officers, 6 short stay service staff, and 66 patients, over a period of 1 month of Pre-test and 1 month of Post-test. Results between pre-test and post-test were compared in terms of quantity, quality, times and labor-forces consumed, satisfaction of concerned people, and unit cost of services. The statistical methods used were the t-test, Mann Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon Match-Paired Signed-Ranks test at alpha 0.05. The results revealed that after implementation of the new working model, the accuracy rate and the completeness of the standard procedure increased (p<0.05), and the results of the 5 working outputs were better (p<0.05). The new model has complete elements in term of principles, structures, and implementing methods, using only the existing resources with fewer complexes in developing the model, and can be applied to other works in order to achieve higher efficiency. This can be an example of routine to research, which emphasizes staffs participation on every level from the beginning of the model development.