Understanding the Patient Intake Process
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Understanding the Patient Intake Process
Ashshanti Bryant
HCR/220
April 25, 2010
Fonzette Mixon
Understanding the Patient Intake Process
The patient intake process is designed to retrieve patient information , new or established during the check in process at a clinic, hospital, or doctors office. It is important to maintain a efficient intake process and a strong patient flow.
An important part of health care quality is patient satisfaction. The impact of patient arrival times to appointments affect the overall patient flow in the office, clinic or hospital during the course of an ambulatory visit. Patient waiting time, time spent with the physician, and time spent in the examination room, are just as important as the intake process. Unorganized patient flow processes increase waiting times and decrease patient satisfaction, which reduces the amount of patients a physician treats as well as unhappy staff members. For example, instead of a patient having to literally sign in at the front desk, the implementation of a touch screen patient entered data system for completion of intake paperwork required for all patients would help reduce time checking in. "Problems can arise at any one of several parts of the office visit, from check-in, to initial nurse intake, to the provider visit, and through check-out"(Onisuru,2007)
The reduction of the amount of paper work in a clinical setting is a "must have" and can also provide efficiency as well. The capabilities of using computerized records can cut back on the time a patient spends filling out forms. This would allow the patient to be seen quicker and reduce the time spent in the office as well as reduce the amount of paper used to retrieve information and improve the overall flow of the office. Weak patient flow can create poor patient care, dissatisfied patients, frustrated employees, and the decrease of a physicians patients. Personal information such as the address, insurance information and...
Ashshanti Bryant
HCR/220
April 25, 2010
Fonzette Mixon
Understanding the Patient Intake Process
The patient intake process is designed to retrieve patient information , new or established during the check in process at a clinic, hospital, or doctors office. It is important to maintain a efficient intake process and a strong patient flow.
An important part of health care quality is patient satisfaction. The impact of patient arrival times to appointments affect the overall patient flow in the office, clinic or hospital during the course of an ambulatory visit. Patient waiting time, time spent with the physician, and time spent in the examination room, are just as important as the intake process. Unorganized patient flow processes increase waiting times and decrease patient satisfaction, which reduces the amount of patients a physician treats as well as unhappy staff members. For example, instead of a patient having to literally sign in at the front desk, the implementation of a touch screen patient entered data system for completion of intake paperwork required for all patients would help reduce time checking in. "Problems can arise at any one of several parts of the office visit, from check-in, to initial nurse intake, to the provider visit, and through check-out"(Onisuru,2007)
The reduction of the amount of paper work in a clinical setting is a "must have" and can also provide efficiency as well. The capabilities of using computerized records can cut back on the time a patient spends filling out forms. This would allow the patient to be seen quicker and reduce the time spent in the office as well as reduce the amount of paper used to retrieve information and improve the overall flow of the office. Weak patient flow can create poor patient care, dissatisfied patients, frustrated employees, and the decrease of a physicians patients. Personal information such as the address, insurance information and...