Changes in scheduling reduced the average wait time for a new pediatric endocrinology appointment by approximately 85 percent — from 11.4 weeks to 1.7 weeks — in little over a year, according to a study in Pediatrics.
Researchers deployed three strategies to improve access to new pediatric endocrinology appointments in an urban, academic hospital faculty-based practice:
• New patient appointments were protected from conversion to follow-up appointments.
• All physicians, including senior faculty, were scheduled to see three to four new patients per session.
• Sessions devoted exclusively to follow-up appointments were added based on demand.
Thirteen months after the practice made these changes, the wait time for a follow-up appointment dropped from 8.2 weeks to 2.9 weeks — a decrease of 64.6 percent. In addition, the average monthly total visit volume increased roughly 29 percent, from 284 to 366.
5 Statistics on ED Visits, Hospitalizations During 2009 H1N1 Flu Pandemic
7 Ways Nurses Can Help Shorten Hospital Length of Stay
Researchers deployed three strategies to improve access to new pediatric endocrinology appointments in an urban, academic hospital faculty-based practice:
• New patient appointments were protected from conversion to follow-up appointments.
• All physicians, including senior faculty, were scheduled to see three to four new patients per session.
• Sessions devoted exclusively to follow-up appointments were added based on demand.
Thirteen months after the practice made these changes, the wait time for a follow-up appointment dropped from 8.2 weeks to 2.9 weeks — a decrease of 64.6 percent. In addition, the average monthly total visit volume increased roughly 29 percent, from 284 to 366.
More Articles on Capacity Management:
TeleTracking: Improving Wait Times Saves Money5 Statistics on ED Visits, Hospitalizations During 2009 H1N1 Flu Pandemic
7 Ways Nurses Can Help Shorten Hospital Length of Stay