Improving Quality With Emergency Department Throughput in a Critical Access Hospital.
Journal
The Journal of nursing administration
ISSN: 1539-0721
Titre abrégé: J Nurs Adm
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 1263116
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Jun 2020
Jun 2020
Historique:
entrez:
21
5
2020
pubmed:
21
5
2020
medline:
6
6
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The study objective was to determine the impact of specific measures to reduce the length of stay (LOS) in an emergency department (ED) in a critical access hospital (CAH). Despite mandates to reduce bottlenecks by increasing throughput, many EDs are not successful. Strategies available to larger hospitals may not be feasible for resource-limited CAHs. Interventions were implemented to decrease ED LOS in a rural CAH. Through retrospective chart reviews from time periods both preimplementation and postimplementation, the LOS was determined and compared using 2-sample t tests. Significant decreases were found between the groups in mean LOS times, as well as specific time intervals within the overall LOS time for nursing-centric activities and incidence of patients leaving prior to treatment completion. A significant decrease in LOS resulted from numerous actions taken to improve patient flow. Results may be used to enhance patient flow and decrease LOS in other CAHs, improving quality and access to care.
Sections du résumé
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
The study objective was to determine the impact of specific measures to reduce the length of stay (LOS) in an emergency department (ED) in a critical access hospital (CAH).
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Despite mandates to reduce bottlenecks by increasing throughput, many EDs are not successful. Strategies available to larger hospitals may not be feasible for resource-limited CAHs.
METHODS
METHODS
Interventions were implemented to decrease ED LOS in a rural CAH. Through retrospective chart reviews from time periods both preimplementation and postimplementation, the LOS was determined and compared using 2-sample t tests.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Significant decreases were found between the groups in mean LOS times, as well as specific time intervals within the overall LOS time for nursing-centric activities and incidence of patients leaving prior to treatment completion.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
A significant decrease in LOS resulted from numerous actions taken to improve patient flow. Results may be used to enhance patient flow and decrease LOS in other CAHs, improving quality and access to care.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32433116
doi: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000000898
pii: 00005110-202006000-00012
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
363-368Références
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