Shouldice Hospital Analysis

Shouldice hospital is one which specializes in hernia operations. Their unique service concept is one which provides hernia operations using a unique method called the shouldice method which is repeated throughout all hernia procedures. The process is said to provide be low risk and has been found to reduce the frequency of recurrences of hernia which make the procedure even more popular. The hospital also allows patients to walk freely and mingle with fellow patients and this creates a fraternity amongst the patients which is also a unique feature when compared to experiences at other hospitals.

Some of the elements of this service system that allow Shouldice hospital to deliver their service well is that in terms of 1) Service encounter: the doctors and nurses are thoroughly screened to make sure they can perform the procedure well and fit in with what the hospital wants to achieve. Other employees are also trained in counseling patients. Doctors, patients and nurses have communal dining which adds to fraternal feel patients get when staying at the hospital. 2) Quality: In order to maintain quality at the hospital the doctors strictly adhere to the Shouldice method and also there are opportunities for doctors to communicate with each other and discuss so that they can fine tune the process further. 3) Managing capacity: Shouldice hospital manages capacity by admitting patients only by appointment, screening the patients before they enter surgery and by placing walk-in patients or local residents on a waiting list; This enables Shouldice to schedule their service properly and to do as many surgeries as possible while at the same timekeeping a tight control on how long each surgery will take and how much capacity may be increased/decreased by. 4) Service design: The hospital has acres of garden to encourage walking and exercise for the patients which fits in with their service concept, floors are carpeted in order to minimize the hospital feel of Shouldice and finally the stairs are specially designed for patients after surgery to allow them to travel easily. All this lends to a better experience for the patient and less of a hospital feel for those patients undergoing surgery

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