Inappropriate Utilization of the Emergency Treatment Room at DeWitt ArmyCommunity Hospital Fort Belvoir, Virginia

摘要

It is a common perception among the hospital staff in most Military TreatmentFacilities (MTFs) that the Emergency Treatment Room (ETR) is a misnomer. At DeWitt Army Community Hospital, it is generally accepted by the emergency room staff that the majority of ETR visits could be classified as non-emergency. This situation is compounded by long waiting times for these non-emergency patients, which results in a high degree of patient dissatisfaction. Additionally, there is a high degree of provider dissatisfaction due to the additional duty requirements to staff the ETR. The purpose of this study is to quantify the supposition that there is a high level of inappropriate visits to the ETR and to propose a model for care which will allow patients to be directed to the most appropriate setting for care. The results of this study indicate that an Advice/Triage Telephone Service and an After Hours Clinic in operation with the ETR will help alleviate the problem of inappropriate utilization of the ETR.... Emergency room, Inappropriate utilization, Advice nurse.