Chemo clinic outpatient scheduling

Rohan · Oct 5, 2005

We have been attempting to solve a bottle neck problem in our scheduling. Our MD's are not varing their schedules and we are getting slammed from 1000-1400. We currently have 12 chairs, 8 pumps and 2-3 nurses working from 0800-1700. Our out-take staff has been doing our scheduling and adjusting our schedule to fit the MDs ( we require MD/PA on site for chemo administration). This is NOT working as the chemos are more complex than ever. We are attempting to work out a system to ease the bottle neck. We are looking into some computer scheduling and then looking at other possibilities. We have researched this and read the ONS articles re Patient Intensity in an Ambulatory Oncology Research Center and other articles. Does any one have any more idea, clues, systems... that might help us?? A Computerized Appointment System was mentioned, has anyone used this system? Thanks for your ear! Deb, RN

How are your scheduling them now? Our patient's are in our main appointments computer. Of course, our cancer docs work 7 days a week and come in early and are willing to stay late. Can you get the docs to start coming in earlier on a rotating basis? Hiring a PA to oversee things if they won't? Good luck!

das · Oct 6, 2005

How are your scheduling them now? Our patient's are in our main appointments computer. Of course, our cancer docs work 7 days a week and come in early and are willing to stay late. Can you get the docs to start coming in earlier on a rotating basis? Hiring a PA to oversee things if they won't? Good luck!

We are scheduling them in our main computer too. Our Docs have all at one point agreed to start early, but quickly go back to the "banker's hours" which adds to our bottle neck. Our PA comes in at 0900 and will start seeing chemo patients right away. Our office only works M-F 0800-1700 and the Docs hate to stay late. We have noted that if the Docs start seeing early our flow is better but we still seem to bottle neck 1200-1400 when all the docs(up to 4 plus the PA) are quickly seeing pts and they are landing in the infusion area about every 15-30 minutes. We only do chemo, gammas, biotherapies and hydration. No blood products. One of the problems maybe our out-take people not understanding the complexity of the patient poopulation, but after 3-5 years one would think they are getting it a little. We have looked at staffing ratios adn patient intensity triage and are still struggling. We (the infusion room RNs) have a min experience here of 5 years and have watched this increase over the past 18 months and are just plain getting worn out from the heavy demanding load.

Rohan · Oct 6, 2005

Sounds like are all trying hard...good luck! I hope you can find something that will help out.

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Oct 9, 2005

This is a problem everywhere. A frank discussion about some part time staff to help with the added burden may be needed. Also better work from the docs, like not every patient needs an infusion that day, within 24 hours will do in most cases, that way scheduling would be planned better.