The Potential of Advanced Rooming to Improve Communication and Visit Efficiency in Federally Qualified Health Centers.

ABSTRACT

Advanced rooming is a workflow that enables non-clinician staff to take on additional responsibilities to improve quality and productivity. However, the impact is not well understood, particularly in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). In this observational study at two FQHC sites, we found that in advanced rooming more questions were asked by patients and staff and more problems were identified and addressed. Advanced rooming medical assistants spent more time with patients and huddled longer with clinicians without significant differences in the clinical portion of the visit or total visit length. Advanced rooming may be a way to enhance care, ease clinician burden, and increase efficiency.