FINDING A BED FOR EVERY PATIENT

Each day, 75 to 85 patients move through Admitting and into beds at The University of Kansas Hospital – and Quantrel "Trel" Brown supervises every one.

Affectionately known as the "Bed Czar," Brown is instrumental in keeping everything moving efficiently and effectively through the system.

"My role is to think outside the box to find creative ways to keep us from getting bottlenecked in any one area," said Brown, patient placement supervisor, Admitting. "Our biggest challenge is timing."

She makes sure there's a bed for every patient every day. The cornerstone of "throughput management," Brown connects with unit coordinators and works with the Emergency Department, physician groups, hospital clinics and transferring hospitals to help navigate patient flow.

She also has worked with the hospital's Throughput Committee to develop a process to reduce discharge times and turn over beds earlier each day so more patients can be accommodated.

"She deserves the credit for a lot of our success," said Carol Cleek, RN, director, Critical Care. "She possesses an ability to negotiate with all different kinds of people. Her role is critical."