By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    benefits of using protein powder to build muscles
    Protein Powder for Muscle Mass: Everything You Need to Know
    December 12, 2021
    changes brought on by blockchain in healthcare
    Technology In The Healthcare Industry
    March 28, 2022
    What Does Core Body Temperature Say About Health?
    August 17, 2022
    Latest News
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    August 3, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Media Begin Focus on Next Iteration of ACA
    December 13, 2012
    Washington State Care
    Using Homecare for Positive Change in Healthcare
    August 14, 2017
    Do Electronic Health Records Reduce Malpractice Claims?
    February 2, 2013
    Latest News
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Addressing Patient Wait-Time Woes
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > Hospital Administration > Addressing Patient Wait-Time Woes
BusinessHospital Administration

Addressing Patient Wait-Time Woes

Andy Salmen
Andy Salmen
Share
4 Min Read
addressing wait time HIS
SHARE

addressing wait time HISIt’s no secret that some patients get upset at long wait times in healthcare offices, but a recent survey from Software Advice put numbe

Contents
  • Tips for Reducing Frustration with Wait Time
  • Tips for Reducing Patient Wait Times

addressing wait time HISIt’s no secret that some patients get upset at long wait times in healthcare offices, but a recent survey from Software Advice put numbers to the patient experience problem. According to the survey, 97 percent of patients report being frustrated with wait times, even though 45 percent of respondents said they waited less than fifteen minutes to see a doctor.

This research from Software Advice indicates patients are increasingly relying on online reviews for information about things such as wait times before they make appointments.  Though physicians can’t guarantee short wait times for every appointment in medical offices, emergencies and critical situations are bound to throw things off. Occasionally, there are some things offices can do to reduce wait times or create a positive patient experience when excessive wait times occur.

Tips for Reducing Frustration with Wait Time

Waits will happen, and medical offices can take action to positively impact patient experience throughout the process.  According to the Software Advice survey, 80 percent of respondents stated information about the wait would reduce frustration.  When patients check in, let them know how long the average wait is and keep those in the waiting room informed of delays.

More Read

Leveraging Digital Signage for Patient Education,Marketing and Service Improvement
Are Those Cute Baby Pictures in the Doctor’s Office Offending HIPAA?
Who’s Who of Health Care Join Forces for SMART Technology
Using Social Media to Promote Your Healthcare Events
Why Hospitals, Health Plans and Medical Groups Should Invest in Patient-Centered Communication Skills

Other ways to reduce frustration with waiting include:

  • Apologizing for delays.  The survey indicated that apologies from the physician were especially powerful in creating better patient experiences.
  • Offer free Wi-Fi in the waiting room.  Busy professionals will appreciate the ability to keep up with work, parents can entertain kids, and all patients can use the time to access email, books, or news.
  • Provide televisions in the waiting room.
  • Provide complimentary food and beverages, such as coffee, fruit, water, juice, and other small snacks when appropriate.
  • When possible, offer the chance to see a different physician within the practice to reduce wait times.

Tips for Reducing Patient Wait Times

Reducing wait times is one way to increase patient satisfaction, and office efficiency is the best way to do so.  Develop procedures for handling as much administrative work as possible before the patient arrives.  When patients make appointments online or via the phone, prompt them for necessary information such as address, phone, symptoms, and insurance.  For specialists in areas like orthopaedic or radiology offices, ensure referral records arrive before the patient.

Don’t overbook appointments.  Use exam rooms to keep patients rotating from the waiting room.  Even if patients are waiting a few minutes, the fact that other people are moving reduces the feeling that the office is backlogged and the appointment is taking forever.

Remove unnecessary tasks from physicians to speed up the process.  Physicians and clinical staff should spend as much time on patient treatment as possible.  Use software and services to make claims processing and medical records management more efficient.  When possible, use nurses for high volume functions such as injections or routine clinical questions.  Concentrate on efficiency to provide a patient experience that is quick and thorough, but never rushed.

(Image courtesy of: Ambro/ Freedigitalphotos.net)

TAGGED:wait-times
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025
engineer fitting prosthetic arm
How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
Health care
August 20, 2025
a woman explaining the document
How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
Public Health
August 20, 2025

You Might also Like

checklist for excellence and success
BusinesseHealthSocial Media

Online Patient Reviews: Power, Influence and Muscle to Grow Even Bigger

January 5, 2014

Eric Topol’s 9 Steps Toward Better Health Care—We Add a 10th

March 9, 2012
email
Business

20 Rules to Kick-Start Successful Email Marketing

January 13, 2014

How To Find a Job in Home Health Care, Elder Care, or Aging Using Social Media

July 12, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?