Hospitals have long struggled with the need to reduce patient wait times in the emergency department (ED). According to data collected by Press Ganey, the total time spent in the ED–much of which may be spent waiting–is directly related to a patient’s overall satisfaction with the ED visit. In recent years, hospitals have begun to create and promote “no wait” emergency departments. To achieve a “no wait” ED, hospitals must successfully bring together facility design, patient flow, a team culture, and a targeted marketing strategy. The following resources may offer some helpful guidance.
- Faulkner, J. Creating a no-wait emergency department. Healthcare Design. Nov. 1, 2006. http://www.healthcaredesignmagazine.com/article/creating-no-wait-emergency-department
- Crane, J., and Noon, C. Strategies of a “no-wait” ED. Executive Insight. Dec. 13, 2010. http://healthcare-executive-insight.advanceweb.com/Archives/Article-Archives/Strategies-of-a-No-Wait-ED.aspx
- Millburg, S. No-wait ED doesn’t even have a waiting room. Radiology Daily. October 21, 2011. http://www.radiologydaily.com/daily/diagnostic-imaging/no-wait-ed-doesnt-even-have-a-waiting-room/
Posted by the AHA Resource Center, (312) 422-2050, rc@aha.org.
Filed under: Best practices, Consumers, Design, Efficiency, Emergency department, Health care quality, Hospital departments, Hospitals, Patient care, Posted by Jeanette Harlow |
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