Quality care can only be optimized when patients have access to the system, and there is growing body of knowledge to highlight how access can be improved. This information is available within the Access Reference List.

The standard measure for access for an appointment is the 3rd Next Available Appointment. It is recommended that primary care services strive to attain same day access, whereas specialty care services strive to attain 5 day access so that referral processes can be accommodated.

In order to recalibrate the system, teams identify the number of patients who are experiencing delays for appointments … this group of delay is called the backlog. The Backlog Reduction Worksheet is used to support the elimination of the backlog.

In order to attain access, it is important to understand and match the supply for services to the demand for services. These can be measured using the following tracking sheets:
- Supply Tracking Form
- Supply and Activity Tracking Form
- Demand Tracking Form

One element that has been shown to promote quality within the system is continuity of care between the primary provider (and their inter-disciplinary team) and the patient. The Continuity Tracking Form offers one way to track continuity.

The following resources may prove helpful in planning your Access
Improvements:

• OHQC Access Model for Improvement
• OHQC Access Change Package

Many health system teams are now using efficiency concepts (outlined in the Efficiency Reference List) to optimize the number of services they provide, and the number of patients for whom they provide care.

One measure of efficiency is the Cycle Time, and some teams are using the Cycle Time Tracking Form to measure before and after they implement efficiency changes.

The following resources may prove helpful in planning your EfficiencyImprovements:

• OHQC Efficiency Model for Improvement
• OHQC Efficiency Change Package