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Nowadays, it is common for emergency rooms to get packed, thereby creating bottlenecks and inefficient demand for services. In phases like this, hospitals are unlikely to be as effective during other non-busy times, which means they need to address the waits and delays.
Waiting a long time to see the physician is generally a frustrating experience for patients. It is also bound to reduce overall patient satisfaction, no matter how good your healthcare services are.
The only way to reduce these bottlenecks is to improve your ER doctor's schedule. Here are five ways to improve your ER doctor schedule. But before diving in, let's highlight why you need to enhance your ER doctor's schedule.
Reasons Why You Need to Improve Your ER Doctor's Schedule
Here are some reasons why you need to improve your ER doctor's schedule:
1- It improves the patient's experience. ER doctors perform critical operations daily and offer necessary care to those in need. While creating a schedule that meets doctors and patients in need can prove difficult, doing so will ultimately benefit both patients and physicians.
2- It improves workflow. A well-structured emergency medicine scheduling system helps doctors manage stress effectively, avoid burnout, and give their best every day by arranging convenient appointments for them and their patients.
3- It improves patient satisfaction. Long wait times are a factor that negatively impacts patient satisfaction. A physician scheduling system promotes patient happiness and interactions between patients and providers.
Five Ways to Improve Your ER Doctor Schedule to Reduce Patient Admission Bottlenecks
Here are five ways to improve your ER doctor schedule to reduce bottlenecks:
1- Use a patient management system and physician scheduling program
Get a patient management system that enables patients to book appointments from wherever they are, through their phones and the Internet. A patient management system (PMS) will arrange appointments and notify patients via WhatsApp or SMS which will help patients get to the facility on time. Similarly, utilize an ER physician scheduling program that automates the scheduling effort. This will reduce patient waiting time.
2- Scheduling buffer blocks
A crowded physician schedule causes long patient wait times. While overbooking may appear to be a great strategy to boost the bottom line, it results in a too-busy, stressed-out clinic with plenty of waiting and disgruntled patients. You can incorporate small buffer time blocks as a way of freeing up time and effort. This results in a more efficient, smooth-running practice with increased income.
3- Add more physicians to your staff list
Hospitals with more physicians on each shift can solve this problem. Having enough physicians in the emergency room will help ensure that you meet patient needs.
4- Identify bottlenecks with a survey
A survey can help you identify bottlenecks and increased wait time causes and also bring ways to address them. It can also measure patients' time in the reception area and with their doctor and give you suggestions on how to reduce these times.
5- Scheduled breaks
Scheduled breaks and some exercise should be included for staff in emergency departments. Small breaks help prevent weariness and mental depletion. Even brief pauses might help someone recharge their batteries and think more clearly.
Conclusion
Here are five ways that allow you to reduce the patient admission bottleneck. ByteBloc offers physician scheduling software that will enable you to deliver customer satisfaction by improving your ER shift scheduling. Get started with ByteBloc today!
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