Emergency Room Manager

What are crucial challenges this ED has faced in recent years related to patient flow?
n what basis were these challenges identified? Were quantitative data used to identify and confirm the existence of problems, and if so, which types of data?

Asked by Stacey almost 10 years ago

The challenges faced by this ED are similar to those all over the country.  The two main concerns that we had identified by patient/staff complaint and national benchmark data are:

1. Inpatient boarding for those patients in the ED waiting for a hospital admission bed

2. Competitive market challenges to decrease the time a patient sees a doctor, and the overall length of stay in the ED

Because we have a robust EMR (electronic medical record), finding this data was easy to extrapolate.  The data was collected for a six month period of time to show the time that the patient came in the door, when they were seen by the doctor, when the decision was made to admit the patient, and when the patient left the department.  From this data, goals for improvement were identified, and Lean processes were implemented to shorten these times.  The "Patient Flow Committee" now evaluates the data on a monthly basis to see if the ED is improving, or if there are new challenges identified.  Now over 90% of the ED patients see a physician within 30 minutes of arrival.

The inpatient boarding times have shown fluctuation due to flu season, staffing challenges, etc, however the committee is able to identify which of the variables are affecting the times and work to adjust that part of the solution.

Great question, thanks!

i am currently in college working on my pre reqs to enter a bsn program for nursing i plan to do ROTC and go in to the army and pick a specialty , from your experience what do you think is the best specialty for a nurse to go into ?

Asked by Noah almost 11 years ago

When I was in nursing school, I was so sure that I wanted to be a pediatric nurse.  Then I started those courses and realized that pediatrics wasn't for me.  Go through your courses, start doing a lot of reading and research about different specialities, and it will come to you.  There is no speciality in nursing that is "better" than another.  Every person is unique and you need to find what fits you best.  If you don't you will burn out fast.  The great thing about nursing in this present day is that there are so many areas to focus on, there is something for everyone.

When you finish school and still aren't sure what area you want to focus in, I recommend getting a solid background in medical/surgical nursing with critical care training.  Every specialty needs that as a basis anyway, and you need to get good at the assessment of patients, and basic nursing care along with critical thinking skills.  Patients are so much more complex than they used to be, and the technology in caring for them changes daily.

Good luck with nursing school and the Army!

I've invented a new approach to managing the spread of germs and viruses. The product uses no chemicals and is called a Coughy Cup. Would you mind writing me at CoughyCup@gmail.com so I can ask you a few questions?

Asked by John Delatorre over 10 years ago

Sorry, no products or sales pitches through this site.  Good luck with your invention, and everyone wash your hands!!

I am a producer on the Discovery Fit & Health and TLC series, UNTOLD STORIES OF THE ER. I'd like to contact you about the show. Ahassett@untoldER.com or 626 798-8000

Asked by Ann Hassett about 10 years ago

Thanks for the question--I have emailed and called with no response.  Please contact again through this site if you are still interested.

Dear emergency room manager????

I do an investigation

The subject = could a victim survive a gun shot wound in the upper forehead by a 50AE Desert eagle gold 24k at 15 feet with very fast and good medical treatment?????
I can not finding any clear evidence so I hope you could answer my question????

https://youtu.be/IZeigwh1270

Asked by Jeffrey almost 7 years ago

How much experience in years and education must an ER nurse have to assist in major ER surgeries. And do they work on set trauma teams under the same Doctor each time? What is the chain of command in an ER?

Asked by Rissa about 9 years ago

Hi, I have heard by the media that most hospitals are full but have also heard this is a total lie and most are not that full. What is it really?

Asked by Dan about 4 years ago