The Theory of Constraints – A practical application of throughput accounting in the Healthcare Sector (2024)

One of my favorite technical articles to read while studying for my ACCA exams was Throughput Accounting and the Theory of Constraints, written by a member of the Performance Management examining team. It was just a very engaging and well-written article, and it made me want to visualize how the theory of constraints could be applied in the healthcare sector, so here goes. This is a slightly complex subject, so I’ll do my best to keep it concise.

A bit of background

1.The Theory of Constraints (we’ll call it TOC from here on) is a methodology used to improve business processes by identifying and optimizing the bottleneck or constraint that limits the overall performance of the system. TOC has been widely applied in various industries, including manufacturing, logistics, and service industries, and its principles can--to put it neatly--be used to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare systems.

2.Throughput accounting is a management accounting approach that is based on TOC principles. It focuses on maximizing the flow of products or services through a system and identifies the critical factors that contribute to the overall performance of the system

A look at TOC and Throughput accounting in Healthcare

The healthcare industry is facing numerous challenges, including rising costs, increasing demand for services, and growing patient expectations. These challenges have led to inefficiencies in healthcare systems, resulting in long waiting times, poor quality of care, and high costs (these are the constraints). TOC provides a framework for identifying and addressing these inefficiencies by identifying the bottlenecks in the system and optimizing them.

One of the primary applications of TOC in healthcare is in the management of hospital operations. Hospitals are complex systems with many interdependent processes, and inefficiencies in one process can have a significant impact on the entire system. By using TOC principles, hospitals can identify and address bottlenecks, optimize processes, and improve the overall performance of the system.

Throughput accounting is particularly useful in healthcare, where the focus is on providing quality care to patients while managing costs. Throughput accounting takes into account the three key performance measures of a system: throughput, operating expenses, and inventory. In healthcare, throughput is the number of patients treated, operating expenses include the cost of staff, equipment, and supplies, and inventory represents the amount of work in progress or patients waiting for treatment.

Using throughput accounting, healthcare providers can identify the processes that contribute to the highest throughput while minimizing operating expenses and reducing inventory. By focusing on the bottleneck or constraint in the system, hospitals can optimize processes and improve the overall performance of the system.

Practical Application of the Theory of Constraints in Healthcare

1. Improving Patient Flow: One of the significant challenges in healthcare is managing patient flow through the system. Long wait times and delays in treatment can negatively impact patient satisfaction and the quality of care. By using TOC principles, hospitals can identify the bottlenecks in the patient flow process and optimize them. For example, hospitals can use Lean principles to reduce waste and streamline processes, reducing the time patients spend waiting for treatment.
2. Reducing Operating Expenses: Healthcare providers are under increasing pressure to reduce costs while maintaining the quality of care. By using throughput accounting, hospitals can identify and then optimize the processes that contribute the most to operating expenses. For example, hospitals can use data analytics to identify the most expensive procedures and find ways to reduce costs without compromising on quality.
3. Improving Quality of Care: TOC principles can also be used to improve the quality of care provided by healthcare systems. By identifying and addressing bottlenecks in the system, hospitals can reduce errors and improve patient outcomes. For example, hospitals can use Lean Six Sigma principles to standardize processes and reduce variation, resulting in improved quality of care.

In conclusion, the theory of constraints in throughput accounting provides a powerful framework for improving the performance of healthcare systems. By identifying and optimizing the bottleneck (or constraint) in the system, healthcare providers can improve patient flow, reduce operating expenses, and improve the overall quality of care. As the healthcare industry continues to face numerous challenges, the application of TOC principles will become increasingly important in optimizing healthcare systems and delivering quality care to patients.

If anyone would like to read the original article which goes into this in a lot more detail, the link to it is below.

Danielle Ezra

Executive - Social Media Marketing

V-Etico Services LLC

Phone: 1 (307) 368-8003