title: The Hershey access clinic: a model for improving patient access.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  When waiting times for new and return patient visits at Hershey Medical Center's Department of Dermatology approached 4 and 2 months, respectively, the Hershey access clinic was implemented to increase access for patients with acute problems.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of the Hershey access clinic on patient care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The great majority of patients were satisfied with the access clinic. However, there has been no effect on the no-show rates or patient waiting times for routine appointments. Fifty-seven percent of patients had eruptions, most commonly acne/rosacea, and 43% had neoplasms, most commonly warts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study was limited by the fact that it was a survey filled out by the patients after their encounter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Hershey access clinic successfully provides acute problem-focused care, and patient satisfaction is high.
authors.affiliation: Hershey Medical Center, Department of Dermatology, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA. banderson@psu.edu
authors.forename: Bryan E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: James G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Downs
authors.forename: Tamy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Buckel
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Enterline
authors.forename: Jeffrey J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D003880:Dermatology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D017146:Models, Organizational; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010414:Pennsylvania; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014850:Waiting Lists