scholarly journals P064: Effect of increased availability of pre-authorized radiological test ordering on CT scan utilization in the emergency department

CJEM ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. S100-S100
Author(s):  
K. Huszarik ◽  
K. Wood ◽  
M. Columbus ◽  
A. Dukelow
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Ct Scan ◽  
Patient Flow ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Implementation Period ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Computed tomography (CT) scan utilization has increased dramatically over the past 25 years. This has sparked concern for potential overuse leading to unnecessary radiation exposure for patients and increased health care costs, without any improvement in health outcomes. In order to improve workflow through the Emergency Department (ED) at our institution, an existing pre-authorization policy during weekday business hours allows emergency physicians to order CT scans directly without the need for approval from a radiologist. This policy was recently expanded on September 28, 2015 to allow pre-authorized CT scan orders during weekday evening hours. The objective of our study is to evaluate the impact of increased availability of pre-authorized CT scan ordering on CT scan utilization and patient flow through the ED at two tertiary care hospitals in London, Ontario. Methods: This is a retrospective review comparing monthly CT scan utilization rates in the pre-implementation period from September 28, 2014 to February 28, 2015, to rates in the post-implementation period from September 28, 2015 to February 28, 2016. Length of stay parameters including time from physician initial assessment to CT scan order, completion, report and patient discharge will also be compared between the groups. Results: Results will be presented at CAEP 2016. No significant difference is expected in the monthly number of CT scans ordered per registered ED visits between the pre- and post-implementation groups. We also anticipate a significantly shorter average length of stay for patients receiving a CT scan in the post-implementation group. Conclusion: We expect there will be no significant increase in CT scan utilization with increased availability of pre-authorized CT scan ordering in our EDs. We also anticipated decreased patient length of stay leading to improved patient flow through the ED. Findings may offer support for organizations to safely implement or increase availability of pre-authorized CT scan orders to help improve patient flow and decrease costs in the ED.

scholarly journals P136: Increasing access to computed tomography scanning in the emergency department and its effect on patient outcomes

CJEM ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (S1) ◽  
pp. S113
Author(s):  
M. Watson ◽  
C. Richard ◽  
N. Fortino ◽  
T. Lyon ◽  
R. Ohle
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Direct Access ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
Admission Rates ◽  
Computed Tomography Scanning ◽  
The Impact

Background: There is growing concern about emergency physicians overuse of computed tomography (CT). In an attempt to ensure appropriate ordering many hospitals implement strict protocols for ordering of CT scans in the emergency department (ED) that include approval of all scans by a board-certified radiologist, and a reduced access to CT overnight. Aim Statement: The aim of this study is to review the impact of RAD ED – direct access to CT ordering by ED physicians, 24hr CT technologist and third-party reporting on CT scans overnight. Our objectives were to assess the effect on; 1) ED length of stay, 2) number of CT scans ordered and 3) admission rates. Measures & Design: We conducted a prospective pilot before & after study at a single tertiary-care emergency department between February 1st, 2018 and July 31st, 2018. Inclusion criteria were adult patients presenting to the emergency department and undergoing CT for any of the following: face, neck, spine, upper and lower extremities, chest, abdomen and pelvis. Exclusion criteria were those undergoing CT head for stroke or trauma. Evaluation/Results: A total of 924 patients met our criteria, 352 before and 568 after implementation. Comparison of the patient populations demonstrate very similar characteristics in both groups; (49% male, average age 56 years, CTAS 2(40%) and 3(47%). Results demonstrate that an additional 216 scans were performed in post-implementation group. This equates to an increase of 61%. ED length of stay averaged 5.6 hours pre-implementation and 4.7 hours post-implementation. This corresponds to a significant reduction in length of stay of approximately 0.9 hours (p < 0.01). Collection is currently ongoing for factors that we will adjust for a multivariate analysis, including admission rates. Discussion/Impact: RAD ED led to a significant increase in CT ordering and decrease in ED length of stay. We believe that this project provides important information to clinicians and patients with regards to overall CT utilization, ED wait times, follow up visits for CT scanning and admission rates. It is also important for administrators to help decide if these new rules are leading to improved efficiency, and to help estimate their financial impact.

scholarly journals P139: The impact of a pancreatitis admission algorithm on emergency department length of stay in a tertiary care academic hospital

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. S114-S115
Author(s):  
A. Albina ◽  
F. Kegel ◽  
F. Dankoff ◽  
G. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Physician Satisfaction ◽  
Academic Hospital ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Potential Applicability ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Algorithm Implementation ◽  
The Impact

Background: Emergency department (ED) overcrowding is associated with a broad spectrum of poor medical outcomes, including medical errors, mortality, higher rates of leaving without being seen, and reduced patient and physician satisfaction. The largest contributor to overcrowding is access block – the inability of admitted patients to access in-patient beds from the ED. One component to addressing access block involves streamlining the decision process to rapidly determine which hospital service will admit the patient. Aim Statement: As of Sep 2011, admission algorithms at our institution were supported and formalised. The pancreatitis algorithm clarified whether general surgery or internal medicine would admit ED patients with pancreatitis. We hypothesize that this prior uncertainty delayed the admission decision and prolonged ED length of stay (LOS) for patients with pancreatitis. Our project evaluates whether implementing a pancreatitis admission algorithm at our institution reduced ED time to disposition (TTD) and LOS. Measures & Design: A retrospective review was conducted in a tertiary care academic hospital in Montreal for all adult ED patients diagnosed with pancreatitis from Apr 2010 to Mar 2014. The data was used to plot separate run charts for ED TTD and LOS. Serial measurements of each outcome were used to monitor change and evaluate for special cause variation. The mean ED LOS and TTD before and after algorithm implementation were also compared using the Student's t test. Evaluation/Results: Over four years, a total of 365 ED patients were diagnosed with pancreatitis and 287 (79%) were admitted. The mean ED LOS for patients with pancreatitis decreased following the implementation of an admission algorithm (1616 vs. 1418 mins, p = 0.05). The mean ED TTD was also reduced (1171 vs. 899 mins, p = 0.0006). A non-random signal of change was suggested by a shift above the median prior to algorithm implementation and one below the median following. Discussion/Impact: This project demonstrates that in a busy tertiary care academic hospital, an admission algorithm helped reduce ED TTD and LOS for patients with pancreatitis. This proves especially valuable when considering the potential applicability of such algorithms to other disease processes, such as gastrointestinal bleeding and congestive heart failure, among others. Future studies demonstrating this external applicability, and the impact of such decision algorithms on physician decision fatigue and within non-academic institutions, proves warranted.

scholarly journals Evaluation of an Initial Specimen Diversion Device (ISDD) on Rates of Blood Culture Contamination in the Emergency Department

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 73-76
Author(s):  
Blake Buzard ◽  
Patrick Evans ◽  
Todd Schroeder
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Blood Culture ◽  
Blood Cultures ◽  
Contamination Rate ◽  
Total Hospital Cost ◽  
Initial Specimen ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Blood cultures are the gold standard for identifying bloodstream infections. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommends a blood culture contamination rate of <3%. Contamination can lead to misdiagnosis, increased length of stay and hospital costs, unnecessary testing and antibiotic use. These reasons led to the development of initial specimen diversion devices (ISDD). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of an initial specimen diversion device on rates of blood culture contamination in the emergency department.  Methods: This was a retrospective, multi-site study including patients who had blood cultures drawn in an emergency department. February 2018 to April 2018, when an ISDD was not utilized, was compared with June 2019 to August 2019, a period where an ISDD was being used. The primary outcome was total blood culture contamination. Secondary outcomes were total hospital cost, hospital and intensive care unit length of stay, vancomycin days of use, vancomycin serum concentrations obtained, and repeat blood cultures obtained.  Results: A statistically significant difference was found in blood culture contamination rates in the Pre-ISDD group vs the ISDD group (7.47% vs 2.59%, p<0.001). None of the secondary endpoints showed a statistically significant difference. Conclusions: Implementation of an ISDD reduces blood culture contamination in a statistically significant manner. However, we were unable to capture any statistically significant differences in the secondary outcomes.

scholarly journals The association between the transfer of emergency department admitted patients to inpatient hallways and outcomes of oncology patients

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Lim ◽  
Matthew C. Cheung ◽  
Maureen E. Trudeau ◽  
Kevin R. Imrie ◽  
Ben De Mendonca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Patient Flow ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Medication Administration ◽  
Oncology Patients ◽  
Flow Quality ◽  
Ed Crowding ◽  
The Impact

Objective: A protocol was implemented to ease Emergency Department (ED) crowding by moving suitable admitted patients into inpatient hallway beds (HALL) or off-service beds (OFF) when beds on an admitting service’s designated ward (ON) were not available. This study assessed the impact of hallway and off-service oncology admissions on ED patient flow, quality of care and patient satisfaction.Methods: Retrospective and prospective data were collected on patients admitted to the medical oncology service from Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2011. Data on clinician assessments and time performance measures were collected. Satisfaction surveys were prospectively administered to all patients. Results: Two hundred and ninty-seven patients (117 HALL, 90 OFF, 90 ON) were included in this study. There were no significant differences between groups for frequency of physician assessments, physical exam maneuvers at initial physician visit, time to complete vital signs or time to medication administration. The median (IQR) time spent admitted in the ED prior to departure from the ED was significantly longer for HALL patients (5.53 hrs [1.59-13.03 hrs]) compared to OFF patients (2.00 hrs [0.37-3.69 hrs]) and ON patients (2.18 hrs [0.15-5.57 hrs]) (p < .01). Similarly, the median (IQR) total ED length of stay was significantly longer for HALL patients (13.82 hrs [7.43-20.72 hrs]) compared to OFF patients (7.18 hrs [5.72-11.42 hrs]) and ON patients (9.34 hrs [5.43-14.06 hrs]) (p < .01). HALL patients gave significantly lower overall satisfaction scores with mean (SD) satisfaction scores for HALL, OFF and ON patients being 3.58 (1.20), 4.23 (0.58) and 4.29 (0.69) respectively (p < .01). Among HALL patients, 58% were not comfortable being transferred into the hallway and 4% discharged themselves against medical advice. Conclusions: The protocol for transferring ED admitted patients to inpatient hallway beds did not reduce ED length of stay for oncology patients. The timeliness and frequency of clinical assessments were not compromised; however, patient satisfaction was decreased.

scholarly journals Impact of Delayed Admission to the Intensive Care Unit from the Emergency Department upon Sepsis Outcomes and Sepsis Protocol Compliance

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Agustin ◽  
Lori Lyn Price ◽  
Augustine Andoh-Duku ◽  
Peter LaCamera
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Included Study ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Protocol Compliance ◽  
Sepsis And Septic Shock ◽  
The Impact

Rationale. The impact of emergency department length of stay (EDLOS) upon sepsis outcomes needs clarification. We sought to better understand the relationship between EDLOS and both outcomes and protocol compliance in sepsis. Methods. We performed a retrospective observational study of septic patients admitted to the ICU from the ED between January 2012 and December 2015 in a single tertiary care teaching hospital. 287 patients with severe sepsis and septic shock were included. Study population was divided into patients with EDLOS < 6 hrs (early admission) versus ≥6 hours (delayed admission). We assessed the impact of EDLOS on hospital mortality, compliance with sepsis protocol, and resuscitation. Statistical significance was determined by chi-square test. Results. Of the 287 septic ED patients, 137 (47%) were admitted to the ICU in <6 hours. There was no significant in-hospital mortality difference between early and delayed admissions (p=0.68). Both groups have similar compliance with the 3-hour protocol (p=0.77). There was no significant difference in achieving optimal resuscitation within 12 hours (p=0.35). Conclusion. We found that clinical outcomes were not significantly different between early and delayed ICU admissions. Additionally, EDLOS did not impact compliance with the sepsis protocol with the exception of repeat lactate draw.

scholarly journals The Value of Thoracic Computed Tomography Scans in Clinical Diagnosis: A Prospective Study

2006 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 311-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark O Turner ◽  
John R Mayo ◽  
Nestor L Müller ◽  
Michael Schulzer ◽  
J Mark FitzGerald
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Ct Scan ◽  
Clinical Diagnosis ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
Thoracic Ct ◽  
Chest Disease ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) scans are used extensively to investigate chest disease because of their cross-sectional perspective and superior contrast resolution compared with chest radiographs. These advantages lead to a more accurate imaging assessment of thoracic disease. The actual use and evaluation of the clinical impact of thoracic CT has not been assessed since scanners became widely available.OBJECTIVE: To identify patterns of utilization, waiting times and the impact of CT scan results on clinical diagnoses.DESIGN: A before and after survey of physicians who had ordered thoracic CT scans.SETTING: Vancouver General Hospital – a tertiary care teaching centre in Vancouver, British Columbia.SUBJECTS: Physicians who had ordered CT scans.INTERVENTION: Physicians completed a standard questionnaire before and after the CT scan result was available.MEASUREMENTS: Changes in the clinical diagnosis, estimates of the probabilities for the diagnosis both before and after the CT scan, and waiting times.RESULTS: Four hundred fifty-four thoracic CT cases had completed questionnaires, of whom 80% were outpatients. A change in diagnosis was made in 48% of cases (25% with a normal CT scan and 23% with CT scan findings that indicated a different diagnosis). The largest change in probability scores for the clinical diagnosis before and after the CT scan was 43.9% for normal scans, while it was 36.3% for a different diagnosis and 26.3% for the same diagnosis. High-priority scans were associated with decreased waiting time (−7.89 days for each unit increase in priority).CONCLUSIONS: The CT scan results were associated with a change in diagnosis in 48% of cases. Normal scans constituted 25% of the total and had the greatest impact scores. Waiting times were highly correlated with increased urgency of the presenting problem.

scholarly journals LO66: Did the Choosing Wisely Canada campaign work? A retrospective analysis of its impact on emergency department imaging utilization for head injuries

CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
pp. S50-S51
Author(s):  
S. Masood ◽  
L.B. Chartier
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Head Injuries ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Choosing Wisely ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Imaging Utilization ◽  
Ct Head ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Head injuries are a commonly encountered presentation in emergency departments (ED) and the Choosing Wisely Canada (CWC) campaign was released in June 2015 in an attempt to decrease imaging utilization for patients with minor head injuries. The impact of the CWC campaign on imaging utilization for head injuries has not been explored in the ED setting. In our study, we describe the characteristics of patients with head injuries presenting to a tertiary care academic ED and the impact of the CWC campaign on CT head utilization. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used linked databases from the province of Ontario, Canada to assess emergency department visits with a primary diagnosis of head injury made between June 1, 2014 and Aug 31, 2016 at the University Health Network in Toronto, Canada. We examined the number of visits during the study period, the proportion of patients that had a CT head performed before and after the release of the CWC campaign, as well as mode of arrival, and disposition. Results: There were 4,322 qualifying visits at our site during the study period. The median presenting age was 44.12 years (IQR 27.83,67.45), the median GCS was 15 (IQR 15,15) and the majority of patients presenting had intermediate acuity (CTAS 3). Overall, 43.17% of patients arrived via ambulance, 49.24 % of patients received a CT head and 10.46% of patients were admitted. Compared to patients presenting before the CWC campaign release, there was no significant difference in the rate of CT heads after the CWC (50.41% vs 47.68%, P=0.07). There were also no significant differences between the two groups in mode of arrival (ambulance vs ambulatory) (42.94% vs 43.48%, P=0.72) or admission rates (9.85% vs 11.26%, P=0.15). However, more patients belonged to the high acuity groups (CTAS 1 or 2) in the post CWC campaign release group (12.98% vs 8.11% P&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Visits for head injuries make up a significant proportion of total ED visits and approximately half of these patients receive CT imaging in the ED. The CWC campaign did not seem to impact imaging utilization for head injuries in the 14 months following its launch. Further efforts, including local quality improvement initiatives, are likely needed to increase adherence to its recommendation and reduce imaging utilization for head injuries.

scholarly journals A dangerously underrated entity? Non-specific complaints at emergency department presentation are associated with utilisation of less diagnostic resources

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanja Birrenbach ◽  
Andrea Geissbühler ◽  
Aristomenis K. Exadaktylos ◽  
Wolf E. Hautz ◽  
Thomas C. Sauter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Triage Category ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Patients Experience ◽  
Specific Symptoms ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Patients presenting with non-specific complaints (NSC), such as generalised weakness, or feeling unwell, constitute about 20% of emergency care consultations. In contrast to patients presenting with specific symptoms, these patients experience more hospitalisations, longer stays in hospital and even higher mortality. However, little is known about the actual resources spent on patients with NSC in the emergency department (ED). Methods We have conducted a retrospective analysis from January 1st, 2013 until December 31st, 2017 in a Swiss tertiary care ED to assess the impact of NSC on the utilisation of diagnostic resources in adult patients with highlyurgent or urgent medical complaints. Results We randomly selected 1500 medical consultations from our electronic health record database: The majority of patients (n = 1310, 87.3%) presented with a specific complaint; n = 190 (12.7%) with a NSC. Univariate analysis showed no significant difference in the utilisation of total diagnostic resources in the ED [specific complaints: 844 (577–1313) vs. NSC: 778 (551–1183) tax points, p = 0.092, median (interquartile range)]. A backward selection logistic regression model was adjusted for the identified covariates (age, diabetes, cerebrovascular and liver disease, malignancy, past myocardial infarction, antihypertensive, antithrombotic or antidiabetic medication, night or weekend admission and triage category). This identified a significant association of NSC with lower utilisation of ED diagnostic resources [geometric mean ratio (GMR) 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84–0.99, p = 0.042]. Conclusions Non-specific complaints (NSC) are a frequent reason for emergency medicine consultations and are associated with lower utilisation of diagnostic resources during ED diagnostic testing than with specific complaints.

Assessment of Daily Burden and Factors for Overcrowded Emergency Department at Tertiary Care Hospital of Karachi

2021 ◽  
pp. 30-35
Author(s):  
Arsala Faridi ◽  
Farah Ahmad ◽  
Areej Zehra ◽  
Afreen Fazal
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Emergency Room ◽  
Tertiary Care Hospital ◽  
Patient Flow ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Study Duration ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: When in emergency room there is no enough area left to serve or to admit the subsequent sick patients who may require urgent attention and observation the setting is called as the overcrowded emergency room. Due to overcrowded emergency department the quality of services provided by the staff and doctors is compromised ultimately patients with severe diseases are ignored and this may be one of the causes for causalities. Objective: To assess the daily burden and factors responsible for overcrowding at emergency department of tertiary care hospital of Karachi. Methodology: It was a cross sectional study conducted at tertiary care hospital of Karachi from October 2020 to January 2021. Data of patients coming to adult emergency department of either gender were collected.  Patients age <14 were excluded as these were referred to pediatric emergency department. Data collection was done according to Canadian emergency department triage and acuity scale (CTAS). Results: Total number (N) of patients who visited emergency department in study duration was 13434. The mean number of patients who visited ED was 141±13during our study duration. There was no any significant difference in presenting complaint. Delay in investigations was found to be a reason of prolong stay and overcrowding in ED in our setting. Conclusion: Overcrowding of patients in our ED of our setting was a common problem. The number of staff, doctors and beds were not matching the number of patient flow in the department. The main reason of prolong stay in ED was delay in investigations.

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