Optimal time management on linear accelerator: A logical model to reduce patient waiting time

Area of Science:

• Radiation Oncology
• Healthcare Management
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Optimal time management is critical in radiotherapy departments to enhance patient satisfaction.
• Inefficient time slot allocation leads to extended waiting periods during external beam radiotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a logical model for improving patient waiting times in radiotherapy.
• To assess the impact of new rules on treatment slot allocation and patient punctuality.

Main Methods:

• A study analyzed 1032 treatment time slots from November 2014 to July 2015.
• New rules for slot allocation, including buffer slots and patient education, were implemented in December 2014.
• Treatment slots were classified by technology: three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Main Results:

• Average waiting time for on-time patients decreased from 25.2 min to 3 min (P<0.00001).
• Average waiting time for late-arriving patients reduced from 38.2 min to 21.11 min (P=0.00006).
• Treatment delays decreased from 59.7% to 32.2% for on-time patients, with improved patient punctuality.

Conclusions:

• Classifying treatment slots by teletherapy technique, incorporating buffer slots, and enhancing patient education improves time management.
• This methodology effectively reduces patient waiting times and treatment delays on linear accelerators.