“The rheumatologist can see you now”: Successful implementation of an advanced access model in a rheumatology practice
✍ Scribed by Newman, Eric D. ;Harrington, Thomas M. ;Olenginski, Thomas P. ;Perruquet, James L. ;McKinley, Karen
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 2004
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 82 KB
- Volume
- 51
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0004-3591
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
Objective:
To provide rheumatologic care to patients in a timely and patient-centered manner.
Methods:
We developed and implemented processes to measure and help eliminate backlog, created access time for same-day patients, and retooled the appointments process to be more efficient and patient focused. in addition, we developed a protocol to be used by our primary care colleagues to care for osteoarthritis of the knee in a standardized manner.
Results:
The third available rheumatology appointment fell from about 60 days to <2 days. cancellations fell from 40% to <20%. patient satisfaction measures (composite score, physician score, and accessibility score) improved significantly. the number of new patients seen for knee osteoarthritis decreased by 6.7%, whereas the number of new rheumatoid arthritis referrals increased by 50.4%. financial performance improved as well.
Conclusions:
This advanced access model in a busy academic rheumatology practice demonstrated considerable improvement in access, patient satisfaction, and finances. using a team approach, we are now able to give the patient the rheumatologic care they want and need at a time they want and need it.