Q: How do we implement centralized scheduling?

A: One of the first decisions to make is: Will all departmental schedulers move into a central location? While for some facilities, this is an option, typically, space constraints prevent this. If the schedulers will stay in their home department, then they must all be utilizing the same electronic scheduling system. This allows each department to see other departments’ schedules, and schedule the patient accordingly. The challenge is to determine how and when another scheduler can schedule into another department’s schedule. For high patient and physician satisfaction, it is best to have a “one stop shop” approach. One phone call to schedule multiple diagnostics.

The Centralized Scheduling approach is recognized as a best practice. Source: Models of Centralized Scheduling and Registration in an Outpatient Setting, Original Inquiry Brief, September 12, 2005, The Advisory Board.

-Meditech Consultants
Inteck, Inc.

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