FAST-TRACKING TIME-SPECIFIC CLINIC APPOINTMENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Pre-retrieval of patient files by appointment dates and time slot scheduling is a strategy to reduce patient waiting time and decongest patient flow at clinics. Previously, primary healthcare clinics in South Africa operated on a date appointment system in primary healthcare services alongside an open-ended system, with all services open to walk-in clients. This result  in daily overcrowding at the clinic with overburdened healthcare workers and long patient waiting times. Furthermore, poor recordkeeping hampers continuity of care and causes unnecessary delays for patients seeking healthcare at primary healthcare clinics in South Africa. While evidence is emerging that Ideal Clinic Realisation and Maintenace (ICRM) program modestly reduces patient waiting time, delays can be further reduced by optimising and institutionalising the date and time appointments along with the required pre-appointment clinic record preparation processes.