Throughput in the Emergency Department: a Concept Analysis
ED THROUGHPUT 2
Introduction
A visit to the emergency department (ED) is usually associated with negative thoughts by most people. It creates preconceived images of overcrowded waiting rooms and routine long waits for treatment (Jarousse, 2011). From 1996 to 2006, ED visits increased annually from 90.3 million to 119.2 million (32% increase). During this same time period, the number of EDs has declined by 186 facilities creating the age old lower supply and greater demand concept (Crane & Noon, 2011). There are many contributing factors that have led to an increase in ED visits. A few of these key drivers include lack of primary care access, rising of the uninsured population, dwindling mental health services, and the growing elderly population (Clinical Advisory Board, 2008). In response to these issues, hospital administrators are challenged to evaluate patient flow and identify opportunities to improve process strategies within the ED. This is where throughput evolved in healthcare and became the new buzzword for patient flow. In healthcare, throughput refers to the ED process that impacts patient flow (Jarousse 2011). The purpose of this concept analysis will be to explore throughput and discuss how it is critical for survival in the ED and beneficial to the overall financial success of the hospital.
Significance of the Concept
In today’s consumer driven healthcare, quality patient outcomes and high scores in customer satisfaction define a successful hospital. EDs must deliver excellent and efficient care to achieve these outcomes. Throughput is the basic concept to meet these categories. Weak patient flow models create dissatisfied patients, poor patient outcomes due to slow service, frustrated staff, and diminished bottom lines (Jensen & Crane, 2008). Clinical quality is at risk by delay in time sensitive treatment and wait times extended so long that a growing number of patients leave without being seen (LWBS). Suboptimal throughput can also have devastating
Introduction
A visit to the emergency department (ED) is usually associated with negative thoughts by most people. It creates preconceived images of overcrowded waiting rooms and routine long waits for treatment (Jarousse, 2011). From 1996 to 2006, ED visits increased annually from 90.3 million to 119.2 million (32% increase). During this same time period, the number of EDs has declined by 186 facilities creating the age old lower supply and greater demand concept (Crane & Noon, 2011). There are many contributing factors that have led to an increase in ED visits. A few of these key drivers include lack of primary care access, rising of the uninsured population, dwindling mental health services, and the growing elderly population (Clinical Advisory Board, 2008). In response to these issues, hospital administrators are challenged to evaluate patient flow and identify opportunities to improve process strategies within the ED. This is where throughput evolved in healthcare and became the new buzzword for patient flow. In healthcare, throughput refers to the ED process that impacts patient flow (Jarousse 2011). The purpose of this concept analysis will be to explore throughput and discuss how it is critical for survival in the ED and beneficial to the overall financial success of the hospital.
Significance of the Concept
In today’s consumer driven healthcare, quality patient outcomes and high scores in customer satisfaction define a successful hospital. EDs must deliver excellent and efficient care to achieve these outcomes. Throughput is the basic concept to meet these categories. Weak patient flow models create dissatisfied patients, poor patient outcomes due to slow service, frustrated staff, and diminished bottom lines (Jensen & Crane, 2008). Clinical quality is at risk by delay in time sensitive treatment and wait times extended so long that a growing number of patients leave without being seen (LWBS). Suboptimal throughput can also have devastating
References: Clinical Advisory Board. (2008). The high performance ED: optimizing capacity and throughput to meet ever-growing demand Crane, J., & Noon, C. (2011). The definitive guide to emergency department operational improvement Farren, E.A. (1991). Effects of Early Discharge Planning on Length of Hospital Stay. Nursing Economics, 9(1), 25-30, 63. Jarousse, L. (2011). Emergency department throughput: a key to patient safety. Hospital and Healthcare Network Magazine McHugh, M., Van Dyke, K., Yonek, J., & Moss, D. (2012). Time and expenses associated with the implementation of strategies to reduce emergency department Throughput. (n.d.). In Dictionary.com. Retrieved on October 7, 2012 from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/throughput.