[Results of an analysis of waiting time at a maxillofacial surgery outpatient department of a university hospital].
Waiting periods in public health institutions not only stress the patients and the personnel, but they are also attended by considerable economic disadvantages. For this reason, the waiting periods of patients of a maxillofacial outpatient department in the various examination and treatment stations were analyzed with the help of accompanying leaflets. According to the results obtained, the sequence of examinations and treatments was verified and reorganized with regard to the three main processes: research, medical care, and education and training. The control by a second analysis evidenced a reduction of the total waiting period from 46.0 to 36.9 minutes per patient. Further possibilities of reducing the waiting periods are indicated, and reasons are given for the necessity for scientific work organization in public health institutions.