Function Phase

Objective: To assess its major function, cost and “relative worth”; and to determine functions which are being performed and those which must be performed by the item or system under study.

In “VE”, function is best expressed using two words; a “verb” and its “noun” object. Functions of items or systems may be divided into two types : Basic , and Secondary . While a Primary function answers the question “What does it do?”, a Secondary function answers the question, “What else does it do?”. For example, whereas the Basic function of exterior paint is “protect surface”, then a Secondary function is “improve appearance”.

A) Determining Functions:

Function of Hospital stay:

Functions were further analysed at different stages:

Pre-operative Preparation of patient:

• Eye lashes are trimmed
  
• Face wash with soap
  
• Hair is tied and secured
  
• Antibiotic drops started
  
• Two tablets of Diamox is given 1 hour before operation
  
• Dilating drops started 1 hr before operation and instilled twice at 15 min interval
  
• Patient is sent to O.T.

Operation of Patient:

• Retrobulbar/Peribulbar block is given 10-15 min before operation.
  
• Operation is performed
  
• Patient is sent to ward ambulatory with pad and bandage
  
• Patient is given normal diet

Post operative Stay:

1st Postoperative day: Pad and Bandage is opened

• Wound inspected
  
• Local Eye drops (Steroid + Antibiotic + Mydriatic) are applied as per requirement and rebandaged
  
• Patient is discharged and asked to remove bandage and wear dark glasses at home
  
• Advised to continue drops and ointments prescribed and to report at OPD for follow-up.

B) Determining Functional Relationship:

In “VE” the designation of function as basic or secondary depends upon the indenture level. A function which exists to support the method of performing the Basic function is a Secondary function. This is best assessed with application of Function Analysis System Technique (FAST). It is a diagramming technique which reveals the relationship, and interrelationship of all known functions.Steps of developing “FAST” Diagram:

• Diagram to have a critical Path of Function from left to right between two Scopelines
  
• On the Critical Path, Higher Order Function (HOF), Basic and Secondary functions are listed from left to right in that order.
  
• HOF is placed outside the left Scopeline
  
• Basic function is placed immediate right to the left Scopeline
  
• All other functions (Secondary, and others) lie to the right of Basic function
  
• To determine whether the functions are arranged properly, two basic logic test questions must be met : “How?” and “Why?”. The functional answer of “How?” should lie immediate Left, and answer of “Why?” on Right of the function.

!http://www.indmedica.com/journals/images/jaha/013_002_fast1.gif (Fast 1)!

The “FAST” Diagram helped the team to identify the “HOF”, Basic and Secondary functions and their inter-relationship; and to establish scope of this “VE” study.

C). Determining Functional Worth:

“Worth” is the least expensive way to barely perform a function without considering where or how the function is used.

“Cost-Worth” Analysis of Functions:

Table 1 Showing Hospital Stay has high “worth” for Operation Function,

While Hospital Stay Is “worth” less for Pre and Post Op Functions