The North Health Area of Málaga has completed the implementation of the TurnoSAS system in all basic health zones of Antequera, Archidona, and Campillos. The measure aims to streamline patient management and improve care in Primary Care.
The residents of Antequera, Archidona, and Campillos now have a new queue management system in their health centres. The North Health Area of Málaga, under the Andalusian Health Service (SAS), has completed the implementation of the TurnoSAS system in all basic health zones of these municipalities, as well as in the health centre of Alameda. The initiative, which started in 2022, represents another step in the digitalisation of primary care in the region.
A system that organises consultations
The new corporate turnometers allow patients to identify themselves with their ID and obtain a queue number for the procedure or consultation they need. The system automatically organises the flow of users, directs them to the appropriate point of care, and displays the order of calling on information screens. According to the SAS, this promotes a care experience that is "more agile, orderly, accessible, and respectful of privacy."
Until now, in some centres, waiting was managed manually or via loudspeakers, which could lead to crowding and compromise confidentiality. With TurnoSAS, each patient knows when it is their turn without having to listen for an announcement. The measure affects thousands of users in the region, who from this week can use the system for any scheduled appointment or administrative procedure.
From emergencies to primary care
The implementation of TurnoSAS is not new to the area. In 2022, the system was launched in the Emergency Service of the Antequera Hospital, where it replaced loudspeaker calls with alphanumeric codes. "It was a change very well received by patients, who appreciated the discretion and clarity," SAS sources explain. Subsequently, it was extended to the Clinical Management Unit of Mental Health and the Extra-Hospital Emergency Point of Antequera.
Now, with its arrival in primary care, the system is standardised across all care facilities in the area. "It is a more organised and efficient model of care," highlights the management of the health area. The initiative is part of the SAS's digital transformation strategy, which aims to incorporate technological solutions to improve accessibility and quality of care.
What changes for the patient
For the citizen, the change is practical: upon arriving at the health centre, they no longer have to ask at the counter or wait to be called over the loudspeaker. They simply enter their ID into the queue vending machine, receive a ticket with their number, and wait for it to appear on the screen. The system also directs patients to the correct consultation or administrative area, avoiding confusion.
"It’s more convenient and quicker," assures a user of the Antequera health centre. "Before, sometimes you didn’t know if you had been called or got lost among the crowd. Now you see your number on the screen and know it’s your turn." The measure also reduces stress for administrative staff, who no longer have to manage queues manually.
The SAS reminds that the ultimate goal is to implement TurnoSAS in all health centres and clinics where it is relevant. For now, the residents of Antequera, Archidona, Campillos, and Alameda are already enjoying a system that, without fanfare, makes waiting at the doctor’s more bearable.
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