Anatomy of an outpatient visit. An evaluation of clinic efficiency in general and subspecialty clinics

Med Group Manage J. 1995 Nov-Dec;42(6):18-25.

Abstract

The time spent in outpatient visits to a Veteran's Administration medical center was measured to determine clinic efficiency. Patient flow through the outpatient department of the medical center was studied to: 1) evaluate how time is spent in VA outpatient settings as compared to non-VA outpatient settings, including waiting time, checking of vital signs, seeing the doctor, etc., 2) develop a baseline to gauge the comparison of the effects of management changes; and 3) develop a mechanism for collecting clinic activity efficiency.

MeSH terms

  • Appointments and Schedules
  • California
  • Data Collection
  • Efficiency, Organizational / standards*
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Group Practice / organization & administration
  • Group Practice / standards
  • Hospitals, Teaching / organization & administration
  • Hospitals, Teaching / standards
  • Hospitals, Veterans / organization & administration*
  • Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / organization & administration*
  • Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / standards
  • Time and Motion Studies