Use of patient flow analysis to improve patient visit efficiency by decreasing wait time in a primary care-based disease management programs for anticoagulation and chronic pain: a quality improvement study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Patients with chronic conditions require frequent care visits. Problems can arise during several parts of the patient visit that decrease efficiency, making it difficult to effectively care for high volumes of patients. The purpose o...

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Main Authors: Shilliday Betsy, Malone Robb M, Potisek Nicholas M, Ives Timothy J, Chelminski Paul R, DeWalt Darren A, Pignone Michael P
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2007-01-01
Series:BMC Health Services Research
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/7/8
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author Shilliday Betsy
Malone Robb M
Potisek Nicholas M
Ives Timothy J
Chelminski Paul R
DeWalt Darren A
Pignone Michael P
author_facet Shilliday Betsy
Malone Robb M
Potisek Nicholas M
Ives Timothy J
Chelminski Paul R
DeWalt Darren A
Pignone Michael P
author_sort Shilliday Betsy
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Patients with chronic conditions require frequent care visits. Problems can arise during several parts of the patient visit that decrease efficiency, making it difficult to effectively care for high volumes of patients. The purpose of the study is to test a method to improve patient visit efficiency.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used Patient Flow Analysis to identify inefficiencies in the patient visit, suggest areas for improvement, and test the effectiveness of clinic interventions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At baseline, the mean visit time for 93 anticoagulation clinic patient visits was 84 minutes (+/- 50 minutes) and the mean visit time for 25 chronic pain clinic patient visits was 65 minutes (+/- 21 minutes). Based on these data, we identified specific areas of inefficiency and developed interventions to decrease the mean time of the patient visit. After interventions, follow-up data found the mean visit time was reduced to 59 minutes (+/-25 minutes) for the anticoagulation clinic, a time decrease of 25 minutes (t-test 39%; p < 0.001). Mean visit time for the chronic pain clinic was reduced to 43 minutes (+/- 14 minutes) a time decrease of 22 minutes (t-test 34 %; p < 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Patient Flow Analysis is an effective technique to identify inefficiencies in the patient visit and efficiently collect patient flow data. Once inefficiencies are identified they can be improved through brief interventions.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-e5fdb0bb6b384c33afc97160a4918ec72022-12-21T20:39:45ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632007-01-0171810.1186/1472-6963-7-8Use of patient flow analysis to improve patient visit efficiency by decreasing wait time in a primary care-based disease management programs for anticoagulation and chronic pain: a quality improvement studyShilliday BetsyMalone Robb MPotisek Nicholas MIves Timothy JChelminski Paul RDeWalt Darren APignone Michael P<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Patients with chronic conditions require frequent care visits. Problems can arise during several parts of the patient visit that decrease efficiency, making it difficult to effectively care for high volumes of patients. The purpose of the study is to test a method to improve patient visit efficiency.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used Patient Flow Analysis to identify inefficiencies in the patient visit, suggest areas for improvement, and test the effectiveness of clinic interventions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At baseline, the mean visit time for 93 anticoagulation clinic patient visits was 84 minutes (+/- 50 minutes) and the mean visit time for 25 chronic pain clinic patient visits was 65 minutes (+/- 21 minutes). Based on these data, we identified specific areas of inefficiency and developed interventions to decrease the mean time of the patient visit. After interventions, follow-up data found the mean visit time was reduced to 59 minutes (+/-25 minutes) for the anticoagulation clinic, a time decrease of 25 minutes (t-test 39%; p < 0.001). Mean visit time for the chronic pain clinic was reduced to 43 minutes (+/- 14 minutes) a time decrease of 22 minutes (t-test 34 %; p < 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Patient Flow Analysis is an effective technique to identify inefficiencies in the patient visit and efficiently collect patient flow data. Once inefficiencies are identified they can be improved through brief interventions.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/7/8
spellingShingle Shilliday Betsy
Malone Robb M
Potisek Nicholas M
Ives Timothy J
Chelminski Paul R
DeWalt Darren A
Pignone Michael P
Use of patient flow analysis to improve patient visit efficiency by decreasing wait time in a primary care-based disease management programs for anticoagulation and chronic pain: a quality improvement study
BMC Health Services Research
title Use of patient flow analysis to improve patient visit efficiency by decreasing wait time in a primary care-based disease management programs for anticoagulation and chronic pain: a quality improvement study
title_full Use of patient flow analysis to improve patient visit efficiency by decreasing wait time in a primary care-based disease management programs for anticoagulation and chronic pain: a quality improvement study
title_fullStr Use of patient flow analysis to improve patient visit efficiency by decreasing wait time in a primary care-based disease management programs for anticoagulation and chronic pain: a quality improvement study
title_full_unstemmed Use of patient flow analysis to improve patient visit efficiency by decreasing wait time in a primary care-based disease management programs for anticoagulation and chronic pain: a quality improvement study
title_short Use of patient flow analysis to improve patient visit efficiency by decreasing wait time in a primary care-based disease management programs for anticoagulation and chronic pain: a quality improvement study
title_sort use of patient flow analysis to improve patient visit efficiency by decreasing wait time in a primary care based disease management programs for anticoagulation and chronic pain a quality improvement study
url http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/7/8
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