Choose one administrative task to observe.
Define its start and finish before measuring. Compare similar workloads before and after a change, keep the learning period identifiable and note interruptions. Measure reception, doctor and billing effort separately.
- 01
For record retrieval: from beginning a search to opening the confirmed record.
- 02
For prescription preparation: from beginning content entry to the reviewed output.
- 03
For billing: from selecting the encounter to the checked receipt.
Read a small worked example.
These four durations are invented to demonstrate the method. They are not H360 performance results.
- 01
Two observations per phase are only enough to explain the arithmetic, not establish a reliable product result.
- 02
Keep variation, interruptions and task complexity with the result.
- 03
Do not combine overlapping elapsed time and staff effort, or infer guaranteed extra patients.
| Phase | Observations | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Illustrative baseline | 110 seconds; 130 seconds | 120 seconds |
| Illustrative later observation | 85 seconds; 95 seconds | 90 seconds |
| Difference in this example | 120 − 90 | 30 seconds per task |
Record the method with every timing.
Use a sheet with task, start/end events, role, phase, duration and exceptions. The example row shows how an operational observation is recorded without identifying a patient.
Download the timing worksheetMake the conclusion as specific as the evidence.
Report the task, sample size, comparison and variation. A calculator estimate and a measured clinic result are different forms of information.
Can we say preparation is twice as fast?
Only evidence for the defined task and setting could support that statement. Template coverage and familiarity can change the result.
Should consultation time be included?
State the chosen measure. Administrative preparation, clinical assessment and patient discussion should not be silently combined.