scholarly journals Emergency physician workload modeling

CJEM ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (04) ◽  
pp. 215-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isser Dubinsky

ABSTRACTBackground:A variety of models are used by hospitals, provincial governments, and departments of emergency medicine to “predict” the number of physician hours of coverage necessary to staff emergency departments. These models have arisen to meet specific requirements—some for the purpose of determining hourly rates of compensation, others to determine the amount of funding that will be provided to “purchase” physician coverage, and others to determine the number of hours of coverage necessary to maintain patient waits within “acceptable” limits. All such models have their strengths and weaknesses and have been criticized as not reflecting the “real” needs of any given department.Objective:In the article that follows, a review of existing models is presented, annotating their strengths and weaknesses to derive the characteristics of an “ideal” workload model.Conclusion:None of the models currently used to measure emergency department workload can be relied on to accurately predict the number of staffed hours necessary. Models that may achieve this objective are suggested.

Author(s):  
Sabri Demir ◽  
Can Ihsan Oztorun ◽  
Ahmet Erturk ◽  
Dogus Guney ◽  
Ayse Ertoy ◽  
...  

Abstract Burned children generally arrive at emergency departments before referring to specialized burn centers. Their initial treatments are performed by non-burn doctors who work in emergency departments. The aim of this study was to evaluate emergency department doctors’ knowledge regarding the initial interventions and transfer of pediatric burn patients. There were 196 participants who completed the survey: 59 were emergency medicine specialists, 46 were general practitioners, and 91 were emergency medicine residents. Sixty-five stated that they always calculate the burn surface areas, and 144 stated that the Parkland formula should be used to calculate the fluid requirements for the first 24 hours. Of all participants, only 21 marked the correct choice as the Lund-Browder scheme to calculate the total burned surface area in children. Only 52 participants marked the correct choice as the Lactated Ringer’s of the fluid given in the first 24 hours. Only 108 correctly recognized inhalation injury. To the question “What is the first intervention that doctors should do at the emergency room to burned children?”, 127 participants stated correctly as the assessment of airway maintenance. Among the participants, 124 stated that they use lidocaine pomades when covering burned children’s wounds. Incorrect interventions with burned children increase morbidity and mortality. This survey shows that non-burn doctors working in emergency departments have insufficient knowledge about pediatric burns and require further training. Therefore, they should be trained continuously and regularly on the approach to both adult and childhood burns.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin A. Reznek ◽  
Sean S. Michael ◽  
Cathi A. Harbertson ◽  
James J. Scheulen ◽  
James J. Augustine

Abstract Background Academic and non-academic emergency departments (EDs) are regularly compared in clinical operations benchmarking despite suggestion that the two groups may differ in their clinical operations characteristics. and outcomes. We sought to describe and compare clinical operations characteristics of academic versus non-academic EDs. Methods We performed a descriptive, comparative analysis of academic and non-academic adult and general EDs with 40,000+ annual encounters, using the Academy of Academic Administrators of Emergency Medicine (AAAEM)/Association of Academic Chairs of Emergency Medicine (AACEM) and Emergency Department Benchmarking Alliance (EDBA) survey results. We defined academic EDs as primary teaching sites for emergency medicine (EM) residencies and non-academic EDs as sites with minimal resident involvement. We constructed the academic and non-academic cohorts from the AAAEM/AACEM and EDBA surveys, respectively, and analyzed metrics common to both surveys. Results Eighty and 454 EDs met inclusion criteria for academic and non-academic EDs, respectively. Academic EDs had more median annual patient encounters (73,001 vs 54,393), lower median proportion of pediatric patients (6.3% vs 14.5%), higher median proportion of EMS patients (27% vs 19%), and were more commonly designated as Level I or II Trauma Centers (94% vs 24%). Median patient arrival-to-provider times did not differ (26 vs 25 min). Median length-of-stay was longer (277 vs 190 min) for academic EDs, and left-before-treatment-complete was higher (5.7% vs 2.9%). MRI utilization was higher for academic EDs (2.2% patients with at least one MRI vs 1.0 MRIs performed per 100 patients). Patients-per-hour of provider coverage was lower for academic EDs with and without consideration for advanced practice providers and residents. Conclusions Demographic and operational performance measures differ between academic and non-academic EDs, suggesting that the two groups may be inappropriate operational performance comparators. Causes for the differences remain unclear but the differences appear not to be attributed solely to the academic mission.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e028257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammadkarim Bahadori ◽  
Seyyed Meysam Mousavi ◽  
Ehsan Teymourzadeh ◽  
Ramin Ravangard

ObjectiveTo explore the causes and consequences of non-urgent visits to emergency departments in Iran and then suggest solutions from the healthcare providers’ viewpoint.DesignQualitative descriptive study with in-depth, open-ended, and semistructured interviews, which were inductively analysed using qualitative content analysis.SettingA territorial, educational and military hospital in Iran.ParticipantsEleven healthcare providers including eight nurses, two emergency medicine specialists and one emergency medicine resident.ResultsThree overarching themes of causes and consequences of non-urgent visits to the emergency department in addition to four suggested solutions were identified. The causes have encompassed the specialised services in emergency department, demand-side factors, and supply-side factors. The consequences have been categorised into three overarching themes including the negative consequences on patients, healthcare providers and emergency departments as well as the health system in general. The possible solutions for limiting and controlling non-urgent visits also involved regulatory plans, awareness-raising plans, reforms in payment mechanisms, and organisational arrangements.ConclusionWe highlighted the need for special attention to the appropriate use of emergency departments in Iran as a middle-income country. According to the complex nature of emergency departments and in order to control and prevent non-urgent visits, it can be suggested that policy-makers should design and implement a combination of the possible solutions.


CJEM ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 1 (02) ◽  
pp. 123
Author(s):  
Urbain Ip

In February 1997, a proposal to develop diagnostic ultrasound (U/S) skills for emergency physicians at Surrey Memorial Hospital was presented to the Diagnostic Imaging (DI) Department and subsequently to the Medical Advisory Committee. To our surprise, this was accepted in principle, with no resistance. With the support of DI, maternity and emergency medicine developed a joint proposal to purchase a $160,000 portable U/S machine. It happened so easily that I became convinced God is an emergency physician.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 919-932
Author(s):  
Kristina Thomas ◽  
Cindy Ocran ◽  
Anna Monterastelli ◽  
Alfredo A. Sadun ◽  
Kimberly P. Cockerham

Coordination of care for patients with neuro-ophthalmic disorders can be very challenging in the community emergency department (ED) setting. Unlike university- or tertiary hospital-based EDs, the general ophthalmologist is often not as familiar with neuro-ophthalmology and the examination of neuro-ophthalmology patients in the acute ED setting. Embracing image capturing of the fundus, using a non-mydriatic camera, may be a game-changer for communication between ED physicians, ophthalmologists, and tele-neurologists. Patient care decisions can now be made with photographic documentation that is then conveyed through HIPAA-compliant messaging with accurate and useful information with both ease and convenience. Likewise, external photos of the anterior segment and motility are also helpful. Finally, establishing clinical and imaging guidelines for common neuro-ophthalmic disorders can help facilitate complete and appropriate evaluation and treatment.


CJEM ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 600-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Collier ◽  
Gregory Marton ◽  
Shannon Chun ◽  
Cheri Nijssen-Jordan ◽  
Susan A. Bartels ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTObjectivesThe objective of the CAEP Global Emergency Medicine (EM) panel was to identify successes, challenges, and barriers to engaging in global health in Canadian academic emergency departments, formulate recommendations for increasing engagement of faculty, and guide departments in developing a Global EM program.MethodsA panel of academic Global EM practitioners and residents met regularly via teleconference in the year leading up to the CAEP 2018 Academic Symposium. Recommendations were drafted based on a literature review, three mixed methods surveys (CAEP general members, Canadian Global EM practitioners, and Canadian academic emergency department leaders), and panel members’ experience. Recommendations were presented at the CAEP 2018 Academic Symposium in Calgary and further refined based on feedback from the Academic Section.ResultsA total of nine recommendations are presented here. Seven of these are directed towards Canadian academic departments and divisions and intend to increase their engagement in Global EM by recognizing it as an integral part of the practice of emergency medicine, deliberately incorporating it into strategic plans, identifying local leaders, providing tangible supports (i.e., research, administration or financial support, shift flexibility), mitigating barriers, encouraging collaboration, and promoting academic deliverables. The final two recommendations pertain to CAEP increasing its own engagement and support of Global EM.ConclusionsThese recommendations serve as guidance for Canadian academic emergency departments and divisions to increase their engagement in Global EM.


2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 3-4
Author(s):  
Brenda Happell ◽  
Monica Summers

The move to provide psychiatric services within the general health care system has resulted in emergency departments becoming the means of access to acute psychiatric care in Australia (Gillette & Bucknell, 1996). Triage within the emergency departments ensures that patients are reviewed and treated in a timely manner, in accordance with the urgency of the presenting problem. The National Triage Scale was developed as a clinical tool for this purpose for use in Australia and New Zealand (Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, 1994). However, this scale tends to attach lower priority to psychiatric issues (Smart et al, 1998).


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