Finding the Best Location for Triage in an Ambulatory Setting
How The Kirklin Clinic at UAB Hospital used simulation and creative analysis to find the optimal location
Objectives
- Find the best location to perform triage
- Investigate four possible scenarios:
- Convert office space into triage (1 station)
- Convert office space into triage (2 stations)
- Triage in exam room prior to physician examination
- Use an existing exam room as dedicated triage
Results
- Reduced average check-in time by 46% (4.8 minutes to 2.6 minutes)
- Overall reduction in patient length of stay
- Recommendations to eliminate several non-value added activities