Patient flow analysis in a children's clinic.

OBJECTIVE The main objectives of the study were to determine the average waiting times of patients at each of the treatment stations in a large paediatric out-patient department, and to determine the average length of time for a patient visit with paediatricians and interns. DESIGN Data were collected over the period of 1 month, from 1 to 31 October 1994, on patient waiting times and length of visit with paediatricians and interns. SETTING The study was conducted in the 24-h out-patient clinic and the half-day speciality clinic at Qoods Children's Teaching Hospital, in Qazvin, Iran. STUDY PARTICIPANTS All patients attended the paediatric out-patient clinic and the half-day speciality clinic during the 24-h period for one full month. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The following were measured: average waiting times and average length of visit for patients seeing interns and paediatricians. RESULTS The average waiting time to see a paediatrician was found to be 77 minutes, and the average length of visit with a paediatrician was 3.4 minutes. Patients waiting to be seen by interns had an average waiting time of 7.8 minutes, and their average length of visit was 7.7 minutes. The average length of visit with an intern was higher during the morning (8.6 minutes) and highest during the afternoon (9.5 minutes) shifts. Suggestions for improvements are made and for ways to take advantage of waiting periods to provide preventive and other health care information.