Planning for ambulatory care: simple methods for improving patient flow.
A combined patient flow and work sampling study was done at the Ambulatory Pediatric Service of the Medical University of South Carolina. The biggest problem was that almost two thirds of the patient's time was spent waiting to see the doctor. Reasons for delay included too few examining rooms, the single block appointment system, and design of the facility.
D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D006739:Hospital Administration; D006749:Hospital Design and Construction; D006801:Humans; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D013022:South Carolina; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis