ED Throughput Topic Brief-ED Throughput Topic Brief

Pdf Summary

Emergency department (ED) throughput, or the flow of patients through the ED, has become a challenge for hospitals due to increased patient volume. Inadequate patient flow processes can negatively impact wait times, patient satisfaction, and the overall quality of care. ED leaders have been working to identify and solve throughput issues using evidence-based practices. The traditional role of EDs has evolved as the US population has grown, resulting in increased patient volume and acuity. This overload can lead to boarding of patients, which contributes to decreased ED throughput. ED crowding is associated with poor health outcomes, making it a priority for hospitals to decrease crowding.<br /><br />The increase in ED visits is due to factors such as accessibility, perceived time savings, and 24-hour availability. EDs are often overcrowded due to a mismatch between ED capacity and factors such as patient surges, patients waiting for inpatient beds, and inpatients who are not ready for discharge. Hospital overcrowding, particularly in the ED, has been associated with negative outcomes such as increased risk of death and longer hospital stays.<br /><br />Effective strategies to improve patient throughput include implementing flexible care areas, establishing protocols for rapid evaluation and treatment, and creating a designated patient-flow team. Collaborative efforts between the ED and inpatient units are necessary to identify and implement solutions. It is important for hospitals to recognize that throughput is a hospital-wide problem, not just an ED problem.<br /><br />Regulatory bodies such as The Joint Commission and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have introduced standards to encourage healthcare facilities to improve patient flow and quality of care. The focus is on identifying and removing barriers to improving patient care and decreasing negative outcomes such as increased lengths of stay. Throughput is a complex process that requires collaboration and leadership support to implement effective improvements.

Meta Tag

throughput crowding

throughput boarding

throughput wait time

throughput flow

throughput LWBS

throughput pull until full

throughput staffing

Keywords

Emergency department

ED throughput

patient flow

wait times

patient satisfaction

quality of care

ED crowding

hospital overcrowding

patient surges

lengths of stay