Factors Influencing Patient Waiting Time in Out Patent Department at, National Hospital of Sri Lanka - Colombo, Sri Lanka

Long waiting time is identified as a major problem in healthcare institutions. This can be rectified to certain extent with trivial changes. OPD Service of NHSL is facing Lengthy queues at the Out Patient Department (OPD) at any given time. Objective of this case study is to analyze the factors for Lengthy queuing at NHSL OPD and to make evidence base recommendations to overcome priorityissues. Many root causes were identified in four main areas; delays in registration or admission, delays in consultation, delays on patient investigations and delays in issuing drugs. Overburden of OPD staff was another root cause found during discussions and data analysis. Application of queuing model with proper triage system will reduce the waiting time considerably at NHSL-OPD.