Acuity-Based Scheduling: Outcomes in Ambulatory Oncology Centers.
With an increase in the number of patients with cancer receiving treatment in the ambulatory setting, a need exists to evaluate lean approaches to provide safe, effective, and timely care delivery. Acuity-based scheduling (ABS) was implemented across the regional ambulatory care centers of a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. ABS involved templates and a reconfiguration of clinical space and staff according to acuity levels. Results suggest improvement in wait times, capacity, infusion hours, chair use rate, patient visits, chair turns, average infusion length, and patient satisfaction.  .
University of Texas MD Anderson Bay Area Regional Care Center.
LaCrista
L
Edwards
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Katy/Memorial City.
Kimberly
K
Hermis
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Katy/Memorial City.
Christopher R
CR
LeGette
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Katy/Memorial City.
Lourdes A
LA
Lujan
University of Texas MD Anderson Bay Area Regional Care Center.
Cicely
C
Scarlett
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006801:Humans; D013781:Texas
acuity-based scheduling; chemotherapy ; regional cancer center; wait times