Chair Utilization: The Number That Runs an Infusion Clinic
An infusion clinic sells chair time. Every hour a chair sits empty is revenue that never comes back, so chair utilization is the first number most operators watch.
How to Measure It
Utilization is booked infusion minutes divided by available chair minutes, for the hours you are open. Track it by chair, day of week and hour, not just as a monthly average, because the problems hide in the patterns.
What Drags It Down
- No-shows and same-day cancellations, often from prior authorization that lapsed.
- Long infusions booked late in the day that block a chair at closing.
- Referrals stuck between the doctor's order and the first dose.
- Reaction or observation time that is not built into the schedule.
What Moves It
- Track time from referral to first infusion and work the oldest referrals first.
- Re-verify authorizations a week before each visit.
- Book long infusions in the morning and short ones at the edges of the day.
- Keep a short-notice list for patients who can come in on a cancellation.