Optimizing resources and access improvement through balanced scheduling in a group practice setting.

The Division of Medicine was able to achieve its goals to improve patient access by increasing the available appointment slots, on average, by 15 percent, balancing schedules to improve resource utilization, ensuring access to all patients within two weeks of a request, and by maintaining cost per case by increasing appointment slots during a period of growth. The process is dynamic in nature and ongoing review by health care access managers is important to identify opportunities for further improvement.