Strategic Planning of Hospital Service Portfolios

In 2012 inpatient financing for hospitals in Switzerland was changed from a system based on cost per case to a system based on a fixed fee per case. The fixed-fee model makes medical services comparable from a financial point of view. Characterizing medical service portfolios in this way, creates large amounts of high-dimensional data. In order to operationalize this information and use it as a factual basis for decision support, we developed a visualization tool and a methodology to support strategic planning of hospital service portfolios. The method centers around a visual metaphor that provides the basis for strategic thinking. It is complemented by a visualization tool that allows visualization, analysis, and modification of service portfolios. Extensive support is provided for visual comparison of different scenarios. Special features enable the tool to be used during live planning sessions. The system was used in strategy workshops in over forty hospitals, and has contributed to infrastructure planning, reorganization, and resource optimization decisions.