The four core principles of team-based care

Co-location

Co-locating the provider, RN, LPN, and MA in a single “flow station” where patient requests are directly addressed in real time through verbal messaging and desktop management

Pre-visit Planning

Implementing innovations in workflow to enhance the primary care experience for patients, providers, and support staff by embracing a proactive model of care

• Support staff empowered to administer immunizations, schedule/order lab and radiology testing, and initiate discussions regarding advance care planning per established protocols (advance directives, home health, palliative care, etc.)
• Use of standing orders and expanded protocols for panel management
• Using shared collaborative documentation, non-physician order entry, and streamlined prescription management

Daily Huddle

Holding a 5-minute daily huddle every morning with the entire care team, including front desk staff

• Check in with the team, learn of any staffing voids or concerns
• Identify potential bottlenecks or gaps in the schedule
• Identify 2–4 same-day appointment slots for acute visits

4-Stage Office Visit

Leveraging the 4-stage office visit to maximize team efficiency

• Stage 1: medical assistant/nurse gathers data
• Stage 2: physician–patient interaction and synthesis of data
• Stage 3: medical decision-making
• Stage 4: patient education and plan-of-care implementation