3024.0: Monday, November 13, 2000 - Board 8

Abstract #7515

Streamlining patient flow in the emergency department (ED)

M.C. Weiswasser, MPH and K.L. Katz, MD, MPH. Prevention Research Center, Griffin Hospital, 130 Division Street, Derby, CT 06418

Objectives: Analyze both the front end (arrival in the ED to call for admission) and back end (call for admission to departure from the ED) of ED length of stay (LOS). Determine a series of interventions that can be made within the ED admission process to increase patient satisfaction through the reduction of ED LOS. Abstract Text: Information on 506 patients admitted to Griffin Hospital through the ED during the months of June and September 1999 was obtained through the hospital’s patient information system. Data included patient ED LOS and ancillary test turnaround times. Interviews to corroborate quantitative data were conducted with hospital employees and other health professionals involved in the ED admission process. Laboratory turnaround times were measured for two tests commonly obtained in the ED: CBC and Urinalysis. A retrospective chart review was conducted to determine the potential for reduction of ED CAT Scan utilization. Data collected (and substantiated by interviews) indicated that laboratory testing was the leading cause of ED delay. Griffin’s CBC turnaround time averaged 56.5 minutes; benchmark data averaged 30 minutes. Griffin’s Urinalysis turnaround time averaged 65.5 minutes; benchmark data averaged 40 minutes. A 15% reduction in laboratory turnaround time would eliminate 3 hours of waiting time per day. Interventions designed to determine whether these lab delays emanate from inefficient pathways, insufficient staffing or inadequate instrumentation are underway. Results of the CAT Scan review revealed that 25% of the tests could have been done after patients left the ED, a potential savings of 17 hours per month.

Learning Objectives: I am submitting this abstract for a poster only so I do not understand why it is required that I fill out this section. I thought that Learning Objectives were only for talks or roundtable sessions

Keywords: Emergency Department/Room, Hospitals

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA