Many health systems view patient access challenges as a resource problem, assuming that more providers, staff, or space are needed to meet demand.
In the first episode of “Healthcare Pulse,” a bimonthly video series with Plante Moran experts on the current issues of the hospital and health system industry, we explore how health systems can improve patient access and throughput by optimizing existing capacity rather than simply adding resources. Sharon Ulep, Tyler Gregory, and Shailee Smith examine practical strategies organizations are using to build higher-performing access models, including standardizing scheduling practices, centralizing patient access functions where appropriate, and leveraging technology and AI to improve provider template management.
Learn why a full schedule isn’t always a high-performing schedule, how hidden capacity affects both patient experience and financial outcomes, and what healthcare leaders can do today to create a more proactive, data-driven approach to care delivery.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why hidden operational barriers often constrain patient access and throughput.
- How scheduling optimization can help uncover existing capacity.
- The role of centralized access functions in supporting operational performance.
- Strategies for improving access while supporting long-term organizational sustainability.
Healthcare never stands still, and neither do the conversations that matter most. Stay tuned for more.
