ED navigators: steering patients through the system.

摘要

The number of ED patient visits nationally has increased 19% over the last 10 years (from 1997 to 2007).1 Currently, many EDs are overcrowded, causing patients to experience long wait times. Nationally, the average wait time in the ED from door to treatment is about 4 hours.2 Providing access to follow-up medical care, specialty care, and community resources for the nonadmitted patient is often challenging. Developing innovative systems and processes of care are required to meet these challenges.