265: Effect of Hospital Occupancy Rate, Number of Emergency Department Admissions, and Number of Elective Hospital Admissions on Patients’ Length of Stay in an Academic Emergency Department

2008 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 551
Author(s):  
M. Jalili ◽  
M. Rahimi ◽  
A. Abbasian
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Occupancy Rate ◽  
Hospital Occupancy

scholarly journals Association of patient-to-emergency department staff ratio with the incidence of cardiac arrest: A retrospective cohort study

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Occupancy Rate ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Ed Overcrowding

Background: Emergency department (ED) overcrowding and overuse are global healthcare problems. Despite that substantial pieces of literature have explored quality parameters to monitor the patients’ safety and quality of care in the ED, to the best of our knowledge, no reasonable patient-to-ED staff ratios were established. Objectives: This study aimed to find the association between unexpected emergency department cardiac arrest (EDCA) and the patient-to-ED staff ratio. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a medical center in Taiwan. Non-trauma patients (age > 18) who visited the ED from January 1, 2016 to November 30, 2018 were included. The total number of patients in ED, number of patients waiting for boarding, length of stay over 48 hours, and physician/nurse number in ED were collected and analyzed. The primary outcome was the association of each parameter with the incidence of EDCA. Results: A total of 508 patients were included. The total number of patients in ED ( > 361, RR: 1.54; 95% CI {1.239-1.917}), ED occupancy rate (> 280, RR: 1.54; 95% CI {1.245-1.898}), ED bed occupancy rate (> 184, RR: 1.63; 95% CI {1.308-2.034}), number of patients waiting for boarding (> 134, RR: 1.45; 95% CI {1.164-1.805}), number of patients in ED with length of stay over 48 hours (> 36, RR: 1.27; 95% CI {1.029-1.558}) and patient-to-nurse ratio (> 8.5, adjusted RR: 1.33; 95% CI {1.054-1.672}) had significant associations with higher incidence of EDCA. However, the patient-to-physician ratio was not associated with EDCA incidence. Discussions: Regarding loading parameters, the patient-to-nurse ratio is more representative than the patient-to-physician ratio as regards association with higher EDCA incidence. Conclusions: A higher patient-to-nurse ratio (> 8.5) was associated with an increment in the incidence of EDCA. Our findings provide a basis for setting different thresholds for different ED settings to adjust ED staff and develop individually tailored approaches corresponding to the level of ED overcrowding.

scholarly journals Managing chronic conditions care across primary care and hospital systems: lessons from an Australian Hospital Avoidance Risk Program using the Flinders Chronic Condition Management Program

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Lawn ◽  
Sara Zabeen ◽  
David Smith ◽  
Ellen Wilson ◽  
Cathie Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Chronic Condition ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Post Discharge ◽  
The Impact

Objective The study aimed to determine the impact of the Flinders Chronic Condition Management Program for chronic condition self-management care planning and how to improve its use with Bendigo Health’s Hospital Admission Risk Program (HARP). Methods A retrospective analysis of hospital admission data collected by Bendigo Health from July 2012 to September 2013 was undertaken. Length of stay during admission and total contacts post-discharge by hospital staff for 253 patients with 644 admissions were considered as outcome variables. For statistical modelling we used the generalised linear model. Results The combination of the HARP and Flinders Program was able to achieve significant reductions in hospital admissions and non-significant reduction in emergency department presentations and length of stay. The generalised linear model predicted that vulnerable patient groups such as those with heart disease (P = 0.037) and complex needs (P < 0.001) received more post-discharge contacts by HARP staff than those suffering from diabetes, renal conditions and psychosocial needs when they lived alone. Similarly, respiratory (P < 0.001), heart disease (P = 0.015) and complex needs (P = 0.050) patients had more contacts, with an increased number of episodes than those suffering from diabetes, renal conditions and psychosocial needs. Conclusion The Flinders Program appeared to have significant positive impacts on HARP patients that could be more effective if high-risk groups, such as respiratory patients with no carers and respiratory and heart disease patients aged 0–65, had received more targeted care. What is known about the topic? Chronic conditions are common causes of premature death and disability in Australia. Besides mental and physical impacts at the individual level, chronic conditions are strongly linked to high costs and health service utilisation. Hospital avoidance programs such as HARP can better manage chronic conditions through a greater focus on coordination and integration of care across primary care and hospital systems. In support of HARP, self-management interventions such as the Flinders Program aim to help individuals better manage their medical treatment and cope with the impact of the condition on their physical and mental wellbeing and thus reduce health services utilisation. What does this paper add? This paper sheds light on which patients might be more or less likely to benefit from the combination of the HARP and Flinders Program, with regard to their impact on reductions in hospital admissions, emergency department presentations and length of stay. This study also sheds light on how the Flinders Program could be better targeted towards and implemented among high-need and high-cost patients to lessen chronic disease burden on Australia’s health system. What are the implications for practitioners? Programs targeting vulnerable populations and applying evidence-based chronic condition management and self-management support achieve significant reductions in potentially avoidable hospitalisation and emergency department presentation rates, though sex, type of chronic condition and living situation appear to matter. Benefits might also accrue from the combination of contextual factors (such as the Flinders Program, supportive service management, clinical champions in the team) that work synergistically.

Validity of the Emergency Severity Index in a Finnish Emergency Department 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsi Maria Kemp ◽  
Janne Alakare ◽  
Minna Kätkä ◽  
Mitja Lääperi ◽  
Lasse Lehtonen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Emergency Severity Index ◽  
High Dependency ◽  
Secondary Outcomes

Abstract Background: The purpose of acuity assessment, triage, in the emergency department is to recognize critically ill patients and to allocate resources. The Emergency Severity Index (ESI) is used widely around the world and has been shown to be at least as good as other 5-level assessment instruments. In this study, we assess validity of the ESI triage system in a Finnish Emergency department for predicting 30-day mortality as primary outcome and hospital admissions, high dependency unit or intensive care unit admissions as secondary outcomes, and efficiency for predicting emergency department length-of-stay and utilized resources as secondary outcomes. Methods: We collected data of all adult patient visits to the emergency department during a one-month period. The data was analyzed for the primary and secondary outcomes stratified by age: younger adults (18-64 years), older adults (65-79 years) and oldest old (>80 years). Results: Of the 5909 visits, 5511 were eligible for analysis, 2725 of them men. Median age was 59 years; 30-day mortality was 150 (2.7%). In all age groups, 30-day mortality was consecutively higher with statistical significance between each step from between categories 1 to 3. There were 2274 admissions, 190 of the to HDU or ICU.  Hospital admission rates were significantly higher between each step between categories 2 to 4 for all adults. HDU/ICU admissions were higher in category 2 than in category 3 in all age groups. Resource utilization was higher in category 3 than in category 4; categories 4 and 5 differed only in the younger adult group. Most patients in categories 4 and 5 required ≥2 and 0 resource, respectively. Median length of stay at the emergency department was 3h 47min. For all patients ED-LOS varied without linearity; LOS was longest in category 3 in all age groups. Conclusions: ESI seems to be a valid tool for acuity assessment in all age groups in our population: it recognized severely ill patients by predicting mortality and hospital admissions in the higher triage categories in all age groups. Having failed to predict both resource consumption and ED-LOS, ESI was not associated with efficiency in our population.

An Emergency Department Flow Plan to Decrease Hospital Admissions and Length of Stay

2017 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. e61
Author(s):  
William H. Carter ◽  
Vallabh Karpe ◽  
Chafik Assal ◽  
Suzanne Kemper
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Flow Plan

scholarly journals Common Diagnoses and Outcomes in Elderly Patients Who Present to the Emergency Department with Non-Specific Complaints

CJEM ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 516-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Quinn ◽  
Michael Herman ◽  
Daren Lin ◽  
Wendy Supapol ◽  
Andrew Worster
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Hospital Admission ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Discharge Diagnosis ◽  
Median Length ◽  
Aged Patients ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Ischemic Attack

AbstractObjectiveElderly patients often present to the emergency department (ED) with non-specific complaints. Previous studies indicate that such patients are at greater risk for life-threatening illnesses than similarly aged patients with specific complaints. We evaluated the diagnoses and outcomes of elderly patients presenting with non-specific complaints.MethodsTwo trained data abstractors independently reviewed all records of patients over 70 years old presenting (to two academic EDs) with non-specific complaints, as defined by the Canadian Emergency Department Information System (CEDIS). Outcomes of interest were ED discharge diagnosis, hospital admission, length of stay, and ED revisit within 30 days.ResultsOf the 743 patients screened for the study, 265 were excluded because they had dizziness, vertigo, or a specific complaint recorded in the triage notes. 419 patients (87.7%) presented with weakness and 59 patients (12.3%) presented with general fatigue or unwellness. The most common diagnoses were urinary tract infection (UTI) (11.3%), transient ischemic attack (TIA) (10.0%), and dehydration (5.6%). There were 11 hospital admissions with median length of stay of five days. Eighty-one (16.9%) patients revisited the ED within 30 days of discharge. Regression analysis indicated that arrival to the ED by ambulance was independently associated with hospital admission.ConclusionsOur results suggest that elderly patients presenting to the ED with non-specific complaints are not at high risk for life-threatening illnesses. The most common diagnoses are UTI, TIA, and dehydration. Most patients can be discharged safely, although a relatively high proportion revisit the ED within 30 days.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Hospital Admissions for Low Back Pain: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harrison J Lord ◽  
Danielle Coombs ◽  
Christopher Maher ◽  
Gustavo C Machado
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Hospital Admission ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Low Back

Low back pain is the leading cause of years lived with disability in most countries and creates a huge burden for healthcare systems globally. Around the globe, 4.4% of all emergency department attendances are attributed to low back pain, and subsequent admissions to hospital seem to be common. These hospitalisations can result in unnecessary medical care, functional decline and high costs. There are no systematic reviews summarising the global prevalence of hospital admission for low back pain, identifying the sources of admissions or estimating hospital length of stay. This information would be valuable for health and medical researchers, front-line clinicians, and health planners aiming to improve and increase the value of their health services. The objectives of this study are to estimate the prevalence of hospital admission for low back pain from different healthcare facilities across the globe, including the emergency department, as well as investigate hospital length of stay and explore sources of heterogeneity when categorising studies according to low back pain definitions, sources of admission, study period, study setting and country’s region and income level.

scholarly journals MP08: Using administrative data to explore emergency department management of patients presenting with acute atrial fibrillation/flutter: Is Shock-First a more effective strategy than Drug-Shock?

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. S45-S45
Author(s):  
B. Rowe ◽  
B. Bohlouli ◽  
C. Villa-Roel
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Administrative Data ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Data Repository ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Record System ◽  
Recent Onset

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation and flutter (AFF) are the most common arrhythmias managed in the emergency department (ED). Equipoise in cardioversion strategies for patients with recent onset AFF contributes to observed practice variation. Using administrative data, the objective of this study was to explore the pattern of practice and the comparative effectiveness (outcomes and costs) between Shock-First and Drug-Shock approaches in AFF. Methods: Adult patients >17 years of age with AFF from one academic Canadian hospital ED were eligible. Using administrative data linkage among the National Ambulatory Care Record System, provincial practitioner claims data repository and a local hospital pharmacy database, patients who received treatment with procainamide and/or electrical cardioversion for AFF were identified. Outcomes including disposition, length of stay, revisit within 72 hours and 30-days, and ED costs were analyzed over a seven-year period. Categorical variables are reported as percentages. Continuous variables are reported as median and interquartile range (IQR). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were completed and reported as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Overall, 5,372 patients were identified with AFF; the median age was 70 years and 55% were male. The majority of patients had chronic or secondary AFF; however, in 1687 (31%) cardioversion options were employed for presumed were recent onset AFF. A Shock-First strategy was most common (1379 {82%}); 308 (18%) received a Drug-Shock approach. Discharge time was 33 minutes (95% CI: 4–63) longer in the Drug-Shock approach compared to the Shock-First approach. Hospital admissions were higher (OR = 2.33; 95% CI: 1.68, 3.24) and revisits within 30-days were lower (OR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.54, 0.95) in the Drug-Shock group. The Shock-First strategy demonstrated marginally higher costs (median = $106 CND; 95% CI: $68.89, $144.40) in adjusted analyses. Conclusion: In patients with acute AFF, when cardioversion was attempted, a Shock-First strategy was employed 80% of the time and resulted in shorter ED length of stay and lower hospitalization; however, higher costs and ED revisits within 30-days were observed. Many factors, including physician and/or patient preferences, influence ED decision-making in patients with AFF and understanding the factors influencing these decisions requires further attention.

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