In plain English
It is a time range linked to an appointment, not one exact arrival time. Within that range, the patient is expected or allowed to come in and check in for the visit.
In context
Here, "arrival window" names the time range around the appointment when the patient is expected or allowed to arrive and check in.
- Situation
- Booking appointments, checking in, joining waitlists, and handling referrals
- What it communicates
- names the period when the patient is expected to arrive
Meaning limits
The term by itself does not state the exact start and end times of that period.
Examples
“Although the clinic appointment was at 10:00, the arrival window for check-in ran from 9:45 to 10:15.”
“At check-in, the nurse confirmed that the patient had arrived within the arrival window.”