A pattern where two patients are scheduled at a specific time and a third arrives about 30 minutes later, repeating throughout the day describes which scheduling?

• A. Time Specified Scheduling
• B. Modified wave scheduling
• C. Double booking scheduling
• D. Cluster Scheduling

Answer: (B)

The pattern described uses a staggered flow within each time block, which is the hallmark of modified wave scheduling. In this approach, two patients are scheduled to arrive at the same start time, and a third patient arrives about a half hour later, with this cycle repeating throughout the day. This creates a built-in buffer: while the clinician works through the first two patients, the third is already on site and can be seen when a slot opens, helping to keep the day moving and reduce idle time or long patient wait times. It differs from one-at-a-time time-specific scheduling, which assigns only a single patient per time slot; and from straight double booking, where two patients are scheduled for the exact same time with no stagger. It also isn’t a pattern that clusters by procedure type, which would organize blocks by service rather than by arrival timing.