hartmans medical assistant chapter 7

practice management system

allows time intervals to be blocked off as needed, appointments cannot be accidentally scheduled - like during lunch or meetings

Appointment time frames

15 - 60 minutes (ranging from established follow up - new patient)

Info to be collected

correct name spelling

dob

phone #

reason for visit

insurance info

timed

each pt is given an appointment at a specific time of day, designed to keep the office running smoothly and reduce wait times - most common form of scheduling

open hours

walk in appointment - often used in urgent care clinics

wave

pts are seen in "waves" - 4 people may be scheduled for the same time in a 60 min period and are then seen in order of arrival - this is a good match for when pts arrive early or late

modified wave

2 pts are scheduled for appointments in 30 min intervals and seen in order of arrival. or could leave the last half of the hour open to see pts who need to be worked into the schedule, works best for large # of pts with urgent needs such as diabetes

double booking

two people are given the same appointment time - works best when there is a doctor partnered w. a NP or PA and both can see patients separately

cluster

pts are given appointments based on reason for visit - example, peds doctor only seeing sick children in the AM

NS

abbreviation for no show

locum tenens

a substitute physician