@article {Schmitt:March 2008:1553-7250:147,
author = "Schmitt, Brian P.",
author = "Hoffstadter, Lynn",
author = "Greider, Sandra",
author = "Thomas, Kitty",
author = "Calubaquib, Estrella",
author = "Montgomery, Edna",
author = "Robinson, Gail",
author = "Guay, Bruce",
author = "Bhoopalam, Nirmala",
author = "Temeck, Barbara",
title = "Using Patient Traffic Control to Reduce Treatment Delays for High-Risk Patients at a VA Hospital",
journal = "Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety",
volume = "34",
year = "March 2008",
abstract = "Background: For patients at high risk of function-limiting or life-limiting disease, the time elapsed between first clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment can influence the likelihood of treatment success.Methods: A systematic change in the management of high-risk patients was undertaken. This approach includes identifying primary provider responsibility, establishing communication expectations between providers, developing a tracking system to actively monitor patients (patient traffic control), and using a time guideline to assess patient progression. A 60-day time frame was established for the time from first clinical presentation to diagnostic exclusion or treatment initiation.Results: In a one-year period, 288 high-risk patients were entered into patient traffic control, 211 (73%) of whom were monitored in the primary care setting. The median time to diagnostic exclusion or treatment was 43 days (mean, 58.5 days). Sixty-six percent of all patients achieved diagnostic exclusion or treatment by 60 days. Of the 95 patients monitored for > 60 days, 56% had delays caused by patient noncompliance or because of the appropriate need for long-term serial radiographic monitoring. Thirty-eight patients (13.1%) demonstrated problems with appointment nonadherence. None were lost to follow-up.Discussion: The patient traffic control approach enabled the management of the majority of high-risk patients within 60 days of presentation.",
pages = "147-153(7)",
url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/jcaho/jcjqs/2008/00000034/00000003/art00003"
}