[Pager-supported waiting time management in a university hospital ENT outpatient department : A pilot project for more distance and more comfort].

BACKGROUND

Due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, sufficient distance between people is absolutely necessary, especially in waiting rooms of medical care institutions. This is frequently difficult to realize due to restricted spatial capacities.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the possibility of enabling patients to spend the waiting period outside of the waiting room of the ENT outpatient department, in order to reduce the number of patients in the waiting rooms and therefore observe distancing rules. This was realized by the use of a pager system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

During the timeframe of 12.5 weeks (04.06.2020-31.08.2020), ENT outpatients were issued with pagers. The patients could thus move freely within the hospital and grounds. The pager system was activated 10-15 min before the appointment, to call patients back to the outpatient ENT clinic. questionnaires were used to evaluate the system and examine patients' acceptance and satisfaction.

RESULTS

The 137 questionnaires analyzed showed satisfaction with the system, not only regarding distancing rules but also with the more comfortable waiting time.

CONCLUSION

Introduction of a pager system for patients could help to meet hygiene and distance rules, and also increase comfort during (often unavoidable) waiting times for patients in the university hospital ENT outpatient department. The long-term use of such a system seems promising.