What does the term “patient flow” refer to in outpatient settings?

The term "patient flow" in outpatient settings primarily refers to the movement of patients through care processes. This includes their journey from arrival at the facility, through check-in, examination, treatment, and finally discharge. Effective patient flow is critical for optimizing the patient experience, ensuring timely care, and maximizing clinic operational efficiency. When patient flow is managed well, it can lead to reduced wait times, increased patient satisfaction, and improved overall care delivery.

While processing a certain number of patients during a day is an important metric (as indicated in another option), it does not encapsulate the entirety of what patient flow entails. Similarly, the duration of patient visits and the availability of staff are elements that can impact flow, but they do not define it. The essence of patient flow focuses on the pathway and efficiency of how patients navigate through their healthcare experience.