Ambulatory redesign: Strategies for quality improvement in patient care.

85 Background: Growing outpatient volume poses patient flow challenges, making it difficult to accommodate the complexities of academic medical practice. Volume increases create operational inefficiencies like delays in lab turnaround time (TAT) and limited rooming capacity resulting in delays in patient access and reduced provider productivity. These bottlenecks negatively impact patient satisfaction. Methods: Four multidisciplinary teams assessed barriers to patient flow in the lab, rooming and scheduling process. We sought to maximize the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) role within clinical programs. Each team was led jointly by an MD and RN and included subject matter experts, advisors and facilitators. The groups met regularly for 2 months to evaluate operational data, national benchmarks and surveyed staff. Monthly progress was presented during the Ambulatory Clinic Committee (ACC) meetings. Number of labs not completed on time, wait-time and APP visit volume were tracked. Results: Recommendations ...