Medical Staff

Cut down on ED overcrowding

Hospitalist Leadership Connection, May 20, 2008

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) last month released a report, “Emergency Department Crowding: High-Impact Solutions.” Conducted by a task force that began in August 2007, the report offers low-cost ways to prevent “boarding,” that is, delaying patient care due to overcrowding in emergency rooms. Boarding can lead to inefficient patient care and drains on resources. The ACEP recommends the following budget methods to streamline ED care:

  • Move emergency patients out of the ED areas as soon as possible
  • Discharge patients before noon
  • Coordinate schedules of elective surgical patients
  • Register patients at the beside and eliminate triage
  • Create a fast track unit for low-acuity patients
  • Create an observation unit
  • Involve physicians in triage
  • Cancel elective surgeries

“Only when all stakeholders agree that the problem is systemic and hospital-wide can solutions be implemented…that will protect everyone’s access to emergency care,” the report states.

 

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