IJCM_376A: Time motion study in Anti Rabies Vaccination OPD in tertiary care Hospital of Central India

Abstract

Background: Outpatient department is considered a doorway to health services. The outpatient department thus requires a systematic study of its services for its efficient management and functioning. Time-motion study in ARV OPD provides information on how much time it takes for management of animal bite patients at each step. Such a study could prove useful to improve efficiency of health care services. Objective: To assess the average time spent in different service delivery points in ARV OPD Methodology: A hospital based cross0sectional study was conducted in ARV OPD from July 2022 to June 2023 on Patients coming to ARV OPD. A total of 960 patients were included in the study using Systematic Random sampling technique. Data was collected using a pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire for socio-demographic details and case history of patients and time required for each step in management of animal bite. Stopwatch of smartphone was used to record time at each step of patient management. All the collected data was entered in SPSS software (version 20.0) and was analyzed accordingly. Results: Study results showed that out of 960 patients 613 (63.85%) were male and 347(36.15%) were female. 509 (53.02%) were from urban and 451(46.98%) were from rural area. Out of 960 patients 816 (85 %) were of category III bite and 144 (15%) of category II bite. The most common site for animal bite was lower limb 556 (57.9%) followed by 288 (30%) on upper limb, on trunk 38 (3.96 %) and 78 (8.14%) on head and neck region. Total time required for management of animal bite was 35.15+/- 17.92 minutes. Conclusion: The time spent in transit could be reduced with proper management of logistics. Also reframing of strategies at various steps could help reduced average time needed to attend a patients at ARV OPD.