Improving the Brooke Army Medical Center Department of Emergency Medicine Admissions Process.

摘要

This study determined, evaluated, and proposed ways to mitigate factors contributing to overcrowding and wait times experienced by patients admitted through the Brooke Army Medical Center Emergency Department. Data was collected on 343 patients admitted between August 8 and September 4, 2005. Bivariate correlation analysis revealed staffing, ED census, and day as contributors to wait time. Based on these results, the following recommendations were made: consolidate sign-in and triage; restructure and/or retrain nursing teams; change staff days to days with the highest wait times; increase use of Fast Track; improve automation; and use a direct admissions system.