In the wake of exponential rise in the cost of delivery of healthcare services, especially at a time of economic slow down, it is time the healthcare sector adopts the business process re-engineering (BPR) and process management tools to remain competitive and to augment its earnings, according to Hosmac India Private Limited, a leading hospital planning and consultancy firm.

BPR is a problem solving approach that emphasizes radical change in the way business is done to achieve dramatic improvements in cost, quality, service and speed. The huge rise in the cost of delivery of healthcare services, price competition are the major factors that are forcing hospitals to scrutinize their business processes and to redesign the same to not only help to keep the prices competitive but also aid in delivering quality care to the patients, stated Dr Vivek Desai, managing director, Hosmac.

In India where per capita health expenditure is not very high and also healthcare budget is decreasing, BPR can provide some solution in reducing wasteful processes in government health set-up. Private hospitals can also get benefit from BPR in containing cost and keeping the cost within reach of the general masses. The BPR project can help to increase service level, reduce total process cycle time, decrease waiting time, augment throughput, bring down the activity cost and inventory expenses.

"To address the current challenges in the hospital, efficient Business Process Reengineering and Process Management tools can be used to reduce operation costs, generate new revenue opportunities, deliver products and services faster, improve customer service and increase visibility and control," stated Dr Desai.

Although healthcare sector which is viewed to have largely remained insulated from the slow down because this service is an indispensable need, Hosmac Foundation, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of Hosmac India Private Limited organised a seminar which focussed on 'Hospital Reengineering in an Economic Meltdown' in Bangalore. The event was attended by over 150 delegates from across all the southern states.