Question

Just prior to closing out your day as the HIM Director of Arizona Ambulatory Clinic, you receive a call from a disgruntled patron. The consumer is highly frustrated about the amount of time his spouse spends during her clinic visits. The patient has been visiting the clinic for the past three years. She suffers from chronic illnesses and most recently she is experiencing GI discomfort. Her visits are normally scheduled for 30-45 minutes. However, the patient’s spouse reports she is not discharged for two and half after patient check in on a regularly. Construct a cause and effect diagram to demonstrate how your team would solve this clinical throughput problem?

Answer 1

To address the issue of extended wait times at a healthcare clinic, a cause and effect diagram can be used to identify inefficiencies in clinical operations and develop solutions such as improving scheduling, care for chronic illnesses, and streamlining clinic procedures.

Step-by-step explanation:

When addressing the clinical throughput problem evidenced by extended wait times for a patient at the clinic, a cause and effect diagram would be a beneficial tool for outlining potential factors contributing to the issue. This structured approach aids in identifying root causes and facilitates the development of effective solutions.

Point 1: Extended Wait Times

Wait times that significantly exceed the scheduled appointment durations are indicative of inefficiencies within clinic operations. For instance, if scheduled appointments for a patient experiencing GI discomfort are set for 30-45 minutes, but actual discharge times are upwards of two and a half hours, this suggests a discrepancy between planned and actual timeframes for patient care.

Point 2: Comprehensive Care for Chronic Illnesses

Patient care for chronic illnesses often requires thorough assessments, which can lead to longer appointment times. Effective management of these conditions is crucial and should not be compromised; however, strategies must be implemented to optimize the time spent per visit without detracting from the quality of care.

Point 3: Streamlining Clinic Procedures

Optimizing clinic procedures and workflow can significantly reduce wait times. This might include improving scheduling practices, enhancing coordination between different healthcare providers within the clinic, and using technology to expedite administrative tasks. These efficiencies could lead to more punctual appointment start and end times, improving the overall patient experience.