Fast Pass: On the Fast Track to Putting Our Patients First
Patient access to care has been one of Houston Methodist’s top priorities for several years. A key component of access is ensuring our patients can schedule their appointments easily and connect with the right provider or service in a timely manner. The introduction of Fast Pass, an automatic waitlist feature in Epic, has been putting HM on the fast track to improving patient access.
Making Strides Towards Accessibility
Fast Pass notifies patients via an email or text message when an earlier appointment becomes available. This technology allows patients to schedule earlier appointments through their MyChart accounts, without speaking to an agent.
In June 2023, HM rolled out Fast Pass for physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), speech therapy and the first phase of imaging, which included mammography, ultrasound, X-ray, bone density and fluoroscopy. Since then, Fast Pass has been implemented across 116 departments systemwide.
Significant Results with Fast Pass
Since Fast Pass launched, utilization has increased from 3% to 40%. From January through June 2024, over 19,000 appointments were filled using Fast Pass — and that was only the first half of the year. HM has already surpassed the total number of appointments filled for all 2023 and experienced more than a 200% increase in appointments booked since Fast Pass was first introduced. Patients have also been able to move their appointments up by an average of 20 days, measurably receiving better access to the care they need.
“We’re already seeing great strides on our patient access journey,” said Tesha Montgomery, senior vice president of system patient access. “But most compelling, is the story behind those numbers. Fast Pass enables our patients to fill potentially life-saving appointments, that otherwise may have gone unfilled due to a lack of access. This allows them to take ownership of their health care journey.”
Pressing Forward
Fast Pass is just one example of the technologies HM has implemented to improve patient accessibility. As we continue prioritizing patient access, we remain committed to finding efficiencies that put our patients first and ensure the timely, effective and unparalleled health care they deserve.