| Sumario: | Significance & Background: In a high-volume academic medical center outpatient infusion suite, patient scheduling delays, long wait times, and staff work overload were impacting both patient experience and nurse satisfaction. To address these challenges, a designated area for shorter infusion visits, called the Fast Track area, was implemented. This approach improved chair turnover, minimized delays for care, and enhanced the overall workflow. The new scheduling model accommodated an additional 15-20 patient per day, reduced overtime, and contributed to improved nurse work-life balance. Purpose: The aim of this project was to optimize existing resources and workflow to increase patient capacity, reduce scheduling delays, and minimize waiting times for infusion appointments. Interventions: Previously, short procedures such as subcutaneous and intramuscular injections, port flushes, Central Line/ port-a-cath de-access, and PICC line dressing changes were combined with longer infusion appointments within the same scheduling grid. This often resulted in 1-2 hour waits for patients receiving shorter procedures. The intervention created a designated Fast Track area for these short visits, scheduled as 30-minute appointments independent of longer infusion chair assignments. Patients check in at the front desk, complete labs if needed, and proceed to Fast Track once results are available. Nurses assigned to Fast Track focus solely on short procedures without balancing longer infusion patients, streamlining workflow. Results: Approximately 25 Fast Track appointments are scheduled daily, adding 12.5 hours of chair availability. Wait times for short procedures decreased from 1-2 hours to an average of 30 minutes, and the average time spent in Fast Track per patient is 11 minutes. The infusion schedule now has greater flexibility for add-on treatments, and nursing staff are consistently able to leave on time, with minimal overtime. Patient satisfaction surveys reflect fewer complaints about wait times and more positive feedback regarding efficiency. Discussion: While cancer center expansion is ongoing, the Fast Track initiative effectively utilized current resources to optimize workflow, enhance patient experience, and improve staff satisfaction. By separating short visits from longer infusions, the center increased efficiency, reduced delays, and improved overall care delivery, demonstrating a sustainable model for high-volume infusion settings.
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