The two case studies were conducted according to the Patient-in-Process (PIP) – approach (Kujala et al., 2006), an application of time-based management (Stalk and Hout, 1990). Focus is on handovers and the level of inventory inside a process or supply chain. High levels of inventory are assumed to create costs, hamper the flow, cause confusion and contribute to long response times. A patient case between steps or processes is akin to inventory that carries costs for the patient in terms of waiting time, suffering and economic loss; to society in terms of lost labor and various social benefits; and to the hospital in terms of carrying and coordination
costs.