Enhancing Care for Retinopathy of Prematurity Patients through Better Logistic Planning, Process Mapping, and Telemedicine-Driven Interventions

Authors

  • Mahsa Qeytasi Faculty of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
  • Amirhossein Nodeh Faculty of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
  • Mohammad Mehdi Sepehri * Faculty of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9920-7452
  • Abbas Habibelahi MD MPH Pediatrician, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5131-5198

https://doi.org/10.22105/ahse.v2i2.42

Abstract

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a serious condition that disrupts the development of retinal blood vessels in premature infants, posing a significant risk of permanent blindness if not promptly diagnosed and treated. A critical component of managing ROP is ensuring the safe, timely, and efficient transport of neonates to specialized care facilities equipped to deliver the necessary interventions. Despite the importance of this process, to the best of our knowledge, no prior studies have explored process mapping within this specific context. This paper aims to evaluate neonatal transfer practices from a process perspective, identify opportunities for quality improvement, and propose targeted telemedicine interventions to enhance the transfer process. To achieve this, we used Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) to map and analyze the existing workflows systematically. The findings of this study include a detailed examination of current practices. Based on these insights, we developed targeted telemedicine interventions designed to optimize care delivery for this vulnerable population. These interventions aim to improve coordination, reduce delays, and ensure timely access to specialized care. The results of this study have the potential to lay the foundation for the development of necessary laws and regulations governing neonatal transfer services in the country. Furthermore, this paper seeks to foster collaboration among healthcare stakeholders, inform evidence-based policy-making, and promote standardization in clinical workflows. Ultimately, these efforts are expected to lead to improved patient outcomes, enhanced operational efficiency, and a more robust neonatal care system.

Keywords:

Business process model and notation, Telemedicine, Process mapping, Retinopathy of prematurity, Neonatal transfer

References

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Published

2025-06-26

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): Annals of Healthcare Systems Engineering

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Qeytasi, M., Nodeh, A., Sepehri, M. M., & Habibelahi, A. (2025). Enhancing Care for Retinopathy of Prematurity Patients through Better Logistic Planning, Process Mapping, and Telemedicine-Driven Interventions. Annals of Healthcare Systems Engineering, 2(2), 118-135. https://doi.org/10.22105/ahse.v2i2.42

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