Geriatric Practice Patient Flow Protocol

Pre-Visit Planning

1. Appointment Scheduling

• Schedule complex patients for morning slots
• Allow 40-minute slots for new patients
• Reserve 30-minute slots for follow-ups
• Schedule medication reviews separately

2. Pre-Visit Documentation

• Review prior visit notes
• Check medication reconciliation status
• Verify insurance/Medicare coverage
• Review recent hospitalizations
• Check due preventive services

Patient Arrival Protocol

1. Check-in Process

• Mobility assistance assessment
• Updated emergency contact verification
• Transportation arrangement confirmation
• Vital signs measurement
• Fall risk screening

2. Initial Assessment

• Brief cognitive status check
• Medication list review
• Chief complaint documentation
• Pain assessment
• Basic ADL screening

Clinical Workflow

1. Medical Assistant Tasks

• Complete vitals documentation
• Perform basic screenings
  • Depression (GDS-15)
  • Cognitive (Mini-Cog)
  • Fall risk assessment
• Update medication list
• Record social support status

2. Provider Examination

• Comprehensive geriatric assessment
• Medication review and reconciliation
• Care plan updates
• Family/caregiver consultation

Post-Visit Protocol

1. Care Coordination

• Schedule follow-up appointments
• Arrange specialist referrals
• Coordinate home health services
• Update care transition plans

2. Documentation Requirements

• Complete visit documentation
• Update problem list
• Generate visit summary
• Send prescriptions electronically
• Schedule care plan review

Quality Measures Tracking

• Monitor fall risk assessments
• Track medication reviews
• Document advance care planning
• Record immunization status
• Update preventive care metrics