Geisinger CEO David Feinberg, MD, wants to get rid of waiting rooms and everything they represent, according to an article on the Becker's Hospital Review.
Geisinger Health System has began offering refunds to patients for less than satisfactory experiences. The most common complaint among patients is long wait times, especially in the emergency department.
"A waiting room means we're provider-centered — it means the doctor is the most important person and everyone is on their time. Our ultimate resolution is to reduce the wait time in the emergency rooms at Geisinger facilities to zero minutes and I really think we can accomplish this in two years," Feinberg said.
ER waiting rooms could be transformed into additional clinical space where physicians could treat patients.