Clinical Medical Assistant - Unit 3 | study Guide
movement of patients through their visit from arrival to
Patient flow
discharge in an efficient and effective manner
Optimizing patient flow will ensure the appropriate
Staff efficiency allocation of resources and the best utilization of staff
members' time. For example, while the provider is in with one
patient, the medical assistant can be performing a blood
draw on another patient.
One of the most frequent patient complaints—and a big
Patient wait times factor in patient dissatisfaction—is excessive wait times.
These delays can range from minor patient frustration to
irreparable damage to the provider's reputation.
Optimal health outcomes can only be achieved when patients
receive the care they need. When the patients'
Health outcomes
experiences include excessive wait times and poor
allocation of resources and staffing, they will miss
appointments. This delay in diagnosis or treatment can
negatively impact their health.
Used in both scheduling software and manual appointment
appointment matrix
books to show the dates and times that each provider in the
office is available to treat patients.
If no time slot is available that day, and the patient's
complaint is not urgent, offer to schedule the patient for the
next available appointment.
Fit the patient into the day's schedule by double-booking.
Walk-In Patients
Allow for "no appointment needed" options by using
advanced practice providers (physician assistants or nurse
practitioners) who can treat patients when they call in or walk
in for same-day appointments.
Direct the patient to the closest urgent care center or emergency
room.
Walk in/Open hours Patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis during set office
hours.
, Double-booking Double-booking means assigning two patients to the same
appointment time slot.
movement of patients through their visit from arrival to
Patient flow
discharge in an efficient and effective manner
Optimizing patient flow will ensure the appropriate
Staff efficiency allocation of resources and the best utilization of staff
members' time. For example, while the provider is in with one
patient, the medical assistant can be performing a blood
draw on another patient.
One of the most frequent patient complaints—and a big
Patient wait times factor in patient dissatisfaction—is excessive wait times.
These delays can range from minor patient frustration to
irreparable damage to the provider's reputation.
Optimal health outcomes can only be achieved when patients
receive the care they need. When the patients'
Health outcomes
experiences include excessive wait times and poor
allocation of resources and staffing, they will miss
appointments. This delay in diagnosis or treatment can
negatively impact their health.
Used in both scheduling software and manual appointment
appointment matrix
books to show the dates and times that each provider in the
office is available to treat patients.
If no time slot is available that day, and the patient's
complaint is not urgent, offer to schedule the patient for the
next available appointment.
Fit the patient into the day's schedule by double-booking.
Walk-In Patients
Allow for "no appointment needed" options by using
advanced practice providers (physician assistants or nurse
practitioners) who can treat patients when they call in or walk
in for same-day appointments.
Direct the patient to the closest urgent care center or emergency
room.
Walk in/Open hours Patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis during set office
hours.
, Double-booking Double-booking means assigning two patients to the same
appointment time slot.
