scholarly journals Multicentre evaluation of an emergency department asthma care pathway for adults

CJEM ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (03) ◽  
pp. 215-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Diane Lougheed ◽  
Jennifer Olajos-Clow ◽  
Kim Szpiro ◽  
Patricia Moyse ◽  
Brianna Julien ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
Asthma Management ◽  
Systemic Steroid ◽  
Asthma Care ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
National Implementation ◽  
Ed Visits

ABSTRACTObjective:We sought to determine whether a standardized emergency department (ED) asthma care pathway (ACP) for adults would be accepted by ED staff, improve adherence to Canadian ED asthma management guidelines and improve patient outcomes.Methods:Ten Ontario hospital EDs (5 intervention, 5 control) participated in a 5-month pre–post intervention study. Emergency department management, admissions, repeat ED visits and ED length of stay were compared between sites and by ACP use versus nonuse at intervention sites.Results:The ACP was used in 101 of 383 visits (26.4%) at 5 intervention sites. Use of the ACP varied significantly between sites, ranging from 6% to 60% (p< 0.001). When compared with control sites, there were significant increases in the use of metered dose inhalers (MDIs), inhaled steroids, referrals, documentation of teaching, patient recollection of teaching (all with a p < 0.001) and oxygen (p= 0.001). Use of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) measurements decreased in both intervention and control sites. Increased PEFR documentation and systemic steroid use in the ED and on discharge were only found in patients who were on the ACP at intervention sites. Admissions increased from 3.9% to 9.4% at intervention sites in contrast to control sites, where they remained fairly stable (p= 0.016), but did not differ by ACP use. The length of stay for discharged patients increased by a mean of 16 minutes for ACP patients at intervention sites (p= 0.002). There were no statistically significant differences in repeat ED visits.Conclusion:Adoption of a standardized ED ACP for adults is highly variable. Despite modest uptake, which averaged 26%, beneficial changes in specific aspects of asthma care delivery were found, notably in referrals and recollection of teaching done during the ED visit, without a substantial increase in ED length of stay. These changes may lead to improvements in outcomes, such as reduced relapse rates, which this study was not designed or powered to detect. Provincial and national implementation strategies that address barriers to clinical pathway adoption are warranted and have the potential to improve adherence to guidelines and outcomes for asthma patients.

scholarly journals Implementation of a Physician Incentivized QI Strategy to Address Time to Parenteral Analgesia in Patients with Voe in the Pediatric Emergency Department

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 2989-2989
Author(s):  
Romy Shane ◽  
Sanjay J. Shah ◽  
Blake Bulloch ◽  
Anita Bharath
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Opioid Administration ◽  
Ed Visits ◽  
Mean Time ◽  
Timely Administration ◽  
Order Set

Abstract Introduction Vaso-occlusive episodes (VOE) are the most common cause of pediatric Emergency Department (ED) visits and hospitalizations in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute published an Expert Panel Report regarding the management of SCD and VOE. Their consensus statement recommends initiating analgesic therapy within 30 minutes of triage or within 60 minutes of registration in the Emergency Department. Previous studies have demonstrated that earlier maximum opioid has been associated with shorter length of hospitalization and improved time to ED disposition decision. Despite the overwhelming evidence for timely administration of parenteral analgesic, significant delays still exist in delivery of pain medication in the pediatric SCD population. Barriers to timely administration include rapid triage of SCD patients, provider ordering of pain medication, and peripheral intravenous access. Therefore, a standardized approach to pain management may improve ED management of SCD crises. In order to address timely administration of opiates to SCD patients with VOE episodes in our pediatric ED a SCD pain order set was developed. This order set implemented the use of intranasal (IN) fentanyl as a first line analgesic for SCD patients who presents to the ED with VOE. The purpose of this study was addressing barriers to decrease time to parenteral opioid administration in the pediatric ED. Methods This Quality Improvement (QI) measure was performed at a free-standing, urban pediatric ED. Patients were included if they had a diagnosis of SCD and presented with a pain score >5 and without fever. A PDSA cycle was utilized for designing and evaluating the proposed changes. This cycle consisted of three intervention phases: (1) electronic medical record (EMR) order set development in October 2019, (2) provider incentive for order set use in January 2020, and (3) nursing/patient & family education in April 2020. Baseline data was collected pre-intervention from April-September 2019. The outcomes measures were mean time to 1 st analgesic, mean time from triage to disposition, Hospital Length of Stay, and overall admission rates. Our balancing measure included 48 hour ED re-visits after discharge. Results There were 67 ED visits from April-September 2019 (pre-intervention) and 104 ED visits in the post-intervention data from October-June 2020. There was no significant difference in age or initial pain score in the pre- and post- intervention groups. Improvements were seen in: mean time to first analgesic (58 to 26 minutes), time to disposition (271 to 213 minutes). Hospital length of stay was found to increase with the introduction of IN fentanyl: pre-intervention (120 hours), phase 1 (148 hours), phase 2 (152 hours), phase 3 (218 hours). However, the overall admission rate decreased (55% to 44%). The number of 48-hour ED re-visits remained stable. Conclusion By using QI methods to address key barriers in the pediatric ED, we demonstrated that timely administration of parenteral analgesic can be achieved for SCD patients with VOE. Utilizing the EMR order set allowed for more stream-lined care, both by physicians and nursing staff, resulting in more rapid ordering of medication therefore decreasing time to ED disposition. Additional interventions such as provider incentivization to meet the goal of parenteral opioids within 30 minutes of patient arrival led to further improvement. One of the greatest barriers to our QI intervention was hesitancy both by patients and their caregivers regarding the efficacy of IN fentanyl in decreasing pain compared to IV opioid. Further education was needed both for families and medical staff regarding the efficacy of IN fentanyl as a first line analgesic. It is unclear why overall hospital length of stay was not shown to be decreased with these interventions but this can be offset by an overall decrease in hospital admissions seen with our interventions. This data may be limited by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and how psychosocial stressors can impact patients with chronic medical conditions. Length of stay is also confounded by other factors during the hospitalization and acquisition of other diagnoses such as acute chest. Future research is needed to determine if the demonstrated trend of admission rates and hospital length of stay can be replicated in other pediatric EDs and whether earlier opioid administration affects the outcome of VOEs beyond the ED. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals National Trends in Emergency Department Care Processes for Acute Myocardial Infarction in the United States, 2005 to 2015

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akshay Pendyal ◽  
Craig Rothenberg ◽  
Jean E. Scofi ◽  
Harlan M. Krumholz ◽  
Basmah Safdar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Acute Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Real World ◽  
The United States ◽  
Emergency Department Care ◽  
Care Processes ◽  
Ed Visits

Background Despite investments to improve quality of emergency care for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), few studies have described national, real‐world trends in AMI care in the emergency department (ED). We aimed to describe trends in the epidemiology and quality of AMI care in US EDs over a recent 11‐year period, from 2005 to 2015. Methods and Results We conducted an observational study of ED visits for AMI using the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a nationally representative probability sample of US EDs. AMI visits were classified as ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non‐STEMI. Outcomes included annual incidence of AMI, median ED length of stay, ED disposition type, and ED administration of evidence‐based medications. Annual ED visits for AMI decreased from 1 493 145 in 2005 to 581 924 in 2015. Estimated yearly incidence of ED visits for STEMI decreased from 1 402 768 to 315 813. The proportion of STEMI sent for immediate, same‐hospital catheterization increased from 12% to 37%. Among patients with STEMI sent directly for catheterization, median ED length of stay decreased from 62 to 37 minutes. ED administration of antithrombotic and nonaspirin antiplatelet agents rose for STEMI (23%–31% and 10%–27%, respectively). Conclusions National, real‐world trends in the epidemiology of AMI in the ED parallel those of clinical registries, with decreases in AMI incidence and STEMI proportion. ED care processes for STEMI mirror evolving guidelines that favor high‐intensity antiplatelet therapy, early invasive strategies, and regionalization of care.

Abstract P220: Disparity In Hospital Admissions And Length Of Stay Based On Income Status For Emergency Department Hypertensive Crisis Visits: A Cross-sectional Study Using The Nationwide Emergency Department Sample

Hypertension ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 78 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shreya Srivastava ◽  
Bhargav Vemulapalli ◽  
Alexis K Okoh ◽  
John Kassotis
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Hypertensive Crisis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Delivery Of Care ◽  
Income Status ◽  
Ed Visits ◽  
Income Quartile

Introduction: Racial, gender and lower socioeconomic status have been shown to negatively impact the delivery of care. How this impacts the management of hypertensive crisis (HC) remains unclear. Objective: Identify disparities on admission frequency and length of stay (LOS) among those presenting with HC, as a function of household income. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of 2016 ED visits and supplemental Inpatient data from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample. Median household income quartiles were established. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to estimate odds of admission in each income quartile. A multivariable linear regression model was used to predict LOS. Results: After applying sample weighting, the total number of ED visits was 33,728 with 25442, 6906, and 1380 visits for hypertensive urgency (HU), emergency (HE) and unspecified crisis, respectively. There were 13191, 8889, 6401, 5247 visits in the (1 st ) lowest, 2 nd , 3 rd and 4 th (highest) income quartiles, respectively. The median age was 61 and 58 years for HU and HE, respectively. The most common comorbidity was chronic kidney disease. Individuals with the highest income, had a lower odds of admission compared to the lowest quartile [Adjusted Odds Ratio: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.22,0.74] ( Figure 1a ). There was a significant linear association between income quartile and LOS across all HC and HE [beta coefficient: 0.411, 0.407 p value = 0.015, 0.019] ( Figure 1b ). Conclusions: In this study, patients with lower income were more likely to be admitted, while those with higher income exhibited a longer LOS. Clinicians must be made aware these disparities to ensure the equitable delivery of care.

The Waiting Room Assessment to Virtual Emergency Department pathway: Initiating video-based telemedicine in the pediatric emergency department

2021 ◽  
pp. 1357633X2110440
Author(s):  
Esli Osmanlliu ◽  
Isabelle Gagnon ◽  
Saskia Weber ◽  
Chi Quan Bach ◽  
Jennifer Turnbull ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
Clinical Pathways ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Pediatric Emergency ◽  
Pediatric Emergency Department ◽  
Pilot Phase ◽  
Waiting Room ◽  
Hospital Pediatric

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented pediatric emergency departments with unique challenges, resulting in a heightened demand for adapted clinical pathways. In response to this need, the Montreal Children's Hospital pediatric emergency department introduced the WAVE (Waiting Room Assessment to Virtual Emergency Department) pathway, a video-based telemedicine pathway for selected non-critical patients, aiming to reduce safety issues related to emergency department overcrowding, while providing timely care to all children presenting and registering at our emergency department. The objective of the WAVE pilot phase was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of telemedicine in our pediatric emergency department, which was previously unfamiliar with this mode of care delivery. During the six-week, three-evening per week deployment, we conducted 18 five-hour telemedicine shifts. In total, 27 patients participated in the WAVE pathway. Results from this pilot phase met four of five a priori feasibility and acceptability criteria. Overall, participating families were satisfied with this novel care pathway and reported no disruptive technological barriers.

scholarly journals Specialized fast track: a sustainable model to improve emergency department patient flow

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Emilpaolo Manno ◽  
Marco Pesce ◽  
Umberto Stralla ◽  
Federico Festa ◽  
Silvio Geninatti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Fast Track ◽  
Patient Flow ◽  
Wait Time ◽  
Emergency Department Patient ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Time Length ◽  
Hospital Units ◽  
Ed Visits

Objective: Emergency department (ED) overcrowding is a hospital-wide problem that demands a whole-hospital solution. We developed and implemented a fast track model for streaming ED patients with low-acuity illness or injury to specialized care areas (gynecology-obstetrics, orthopedics-trauma, pediatrics, and primary care) staffed by existing specialist resources with access to general ED services. The study aim was to determine whether streaming of ED visits into specialized fast track areas increased operational efficiency and improved patient flow in a mixed adult and pediatric ED without incurring extra costs.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the ED discharge records of patients who were mainstreamed or fast tracked during the 3-year period from 1 January 2010 through 31 December 2012. ED visits were identified according to a five-level triage scheme; performance indicators were compared for: wait time, length of stay, leave before being seen and revisit rates.Results: A reduction in wait time, length of stay, and leave before being seen rate was seen with fast track streaming (p < .01). These improvements were achieved without additional medical and nurse staffing.Conclusions: Specialized fast track streaming helped us meet patients’ care needs and contain costs. Lower-acuity patients were seen quickly by a specialist and safely discharged or admitted to the hospital without diverting resources from patients with high-acuity illness or injury. Involvement of all stakeholders in seeking a sustainable solution to ED crowding as a hospital-wide problem was key to enhancing cooperation between the ED and the hospital units.

Implementation of Ontario’s emergency department asthma care pathway for adults: determinants of uptake

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Chanel Kwok ◽  
Linda Levesque ◽  
Yvonne DeWit ◽  
Jennifer Olajos-Clow ◽  
Carole Madeley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
Asthma Care

scholarly journals Interventions to reduce emergency department consultation time: A systematic review of the literature

CJEM ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-64
Author(s):  
Weiwei Beckerleg ◽  
Krista Wooller ◽  
Delvina Hasimjia
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Decision Time ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Audit And Feedback ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Consultation Process ◽  
Admission Process ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTObjectivesOvercrowding in the emergency department (ED) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Studies have shown that consultation to decision time, defined as the time when a consultation has been accepted by a specialty service to the time when disposition decision is made, is one important contributor to the overall length of stay in the ED.The primary objective of this review is to evaluate the impact of workflow interventions on consultation to decision time and ED length of stay in patients referred to consultant services in teaching centres, and to identify barriers to reducing consultation to decision time.MethodsThis systematic review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. An electronic search was conducted to identify relevant studies from MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, and CINAHL databases. Study screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were carried out by two independent reviewers.ResultsA total of nine full text articles were included in the review. All studies reported a decrease in consultation to decision time post intervention, and two studies reported cost savings. Interventions studied included short messaging service (SMS) messaging, education with audit and feedback, standardization of the admission process, implementation of institutional guideline, modification of the consultation process, and staffing schedules. Overall study quality was fair to poor.ConclusionsThe limited evidence suggests that audit and feedback in the form of SMS messaging, direct consultation to senior physicians, and standardization of the admission process may be the most effective and feasible interventions. Additional high-quality studies are required to explore sustainable interventions aimed at reducing consultation to decision time.

scholarly journals Outcomes measurement for asthma following acute presentation to an emergency department

2001 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoff Masters ◽  
Sonj E Hall ◽  
Martin Phillips ◽  
Duncan Boldy
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Clinical Pathways ◽  
Asthma Management ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Asthma Care ◽  
Outcomes Measurement ◽  
Acute Presentation ◽  
Asthma Outcomes ◽  
The Impact

The Asthma Management Plan (AMP) was developed by the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand in 1989to provide a more uniform approach to asthma care, aimed at reducing mortality, morbidity and emergencypresentations. The AMP is often supplemented with Asthma Clinical Pathways (CPs) within the emergencydepartment and hospital setting.This study was designed to evaluate the impact of these two instruments on asthma outcomes one month afterpresentation to the emergency department. The AMP and CP were both found to have had positive influences onasthma management. However, the study illustrates that there continue to be problems with asthma management,which would be improved by a more consistent use of these instruments.

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