What effect does appointment clustering have in Epic?

Appointment clustering in Epic is a strategy designed to enhance provider efficiency by grouping similar types of appointments together. When appointments are clustered, providers can see multiple patients who require similar care or services in a condensed time frame. This tactic allows for improved time management, as it streamlines the workflow—enabling providers to focus on specific tasks or assessments related to similar appointments back-to-back rather than switching between different types of appointments, which can be more time-consuming and lead to inefficiencies.

By organizing the schedule in this manner, it minimizes downtime and optimizes the use of resources, potentially leading to higher throughput and better overall patient care. Clustering appointments ensures that providers can see a greater volume of patients in a focused and efficient manner, all while maintaining high-quality care standards.