PP303 - Enhancing Access to Hearing Care Through Automated Audiometry: Reducing Waitlists and Streamlining Patient Flow

Abstract:
Our clinic implemented Automated Method for Testing Auditory Sensitivity (AMTAS) to manage a high volume of new patient referrals for hearing evaluations. By having medical assistants conduct the testing and following up with audiologists via telephone appointments, we reduced wait times, addressed referral backlogs, and expedited access to care. This approach allowed audiologists to focus on patients with complex needs, while AMTAS provided baseline evaluations for others, increasing efficiency and revenue by facilitating timely hearing aid treatment. This quality improvement project demonstrates the potential of automated audiometry to streamline patient flow and enhance access to hearing healthcare.

Summary:
Our clinic implemented the Automated Method for Testing Auditory Sensitivity (AMTAS) to address an influx of new patient referrals for hearing evaluations, aiming to reduce wait times, manage the referral backlog, and improve patient flow. Automated testing was delegated to medical assistants, with audiologists conducting follow-up consultations over the phone, providing timely access to hearing care while allowing audiologists to focus on complex cases. As automated hearing assessment technology emerges, it should be evaluated by clinical teams as a valuable tool for resource allocation and patient management. In this project, patients were triaged by medical complexity, with straightforward cases managed by AMTAS, while those with complex needs were directed to audiologists.

Key outcome measures included patient wait times, clinic revenue, and staff workload. The AMTAS implementation resulted in a significant reduction in patient wait times and a successful management of the referral backlog. Accelerated access to hearing evaluations also facilitated timely initiation of hearing aid treatments, contributing to increased revenue.

Qualitative feedback indicated high patient and staff satisfaction with this streamlined approach, and audiologists reported improved job satisfaction with a more focused caseload. This quality improvement project highlights the potential of integrating automated audiometry with targeted follow-up to streamline hearing healthcare access, enhance clinic operations, and improve patient care. Future research could explore the broader applicability of this approach in high-volume clinics and its long-term impact on patient outcomes.

This poster is intended for an intermediate instructional level, offering valuable insights for clinicians with foundational knowledge in audiometry and clinic management to support clinical decision-making and optimize patient care workflows.