Using patient flow analysis with real-time patient tracking to optimize radiation oncology consultation visits

• DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08809-2
• Publication Date: 2022-12-13T10:12:23Z
• Authors: Shane Mesko; Julius Weng; Prajnan Das; Albert C. Koong; Joseph M. Herman; Dorothy Elrod-Joplin; Ashley Kerr; Thomas Aloia; John Frenzel; Katy E. French; Wendi Martinez; Iris Recinos; Abdulaziz Alshaikh; Utpala Daftary; Amy C. Moreno; Quynh-Nhu Nguyen
• Keywords: Radiation oncology; Health administration; Tracking (education); Surgical oncology; Work flow

Clinical efficiency is a key component of the value-based care model and driver patient satisfaction. The purpose this study was to identify address inefficiencies at high-volume radiation oncology clinic.Patient flow analysis (PFA) used create process maps optimize workflow consultation visits in gastrointestinal clinic large academic cancer center. Metrics such as cycle times, waiting rooming times were assessed by using real-time status function electronic medical record for 556 consults compared between before vs after implementation PFA recommendations.The initial revealed four inefficiencies: (1) protracted time, (2) inefficient communications, (3) duplicated tasks, (4) ambiguous clinical roles. We analyzed 485 consult-visits 71 PFA. recommendations led reductions overall median time 21% (91 min 72 min, p < 0.001), cumulative 64% (45 16 min; which included room (14 5 0.001) wait physician (20 vs. 6 0.001). Slightly less than one-quarter (22%) consult lasted > 2 h 0% (p Similarly, proportion requiring 1 16% 34% afterward 0.001).PFA can be workflows clinics, implementing their findings significantly improve times. Potential downstream effects these interventions include improved experience, decreased staff burnout, financial savings, opportunities expanding capacity.