| Redesigning emergency department patient flows: application of Lean Thinking to health care. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 16842310 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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OBJECTIVE: To describe in some detail the methods used and outcome of an application of concepts from Lean Thinking in establishing streams for patient flows in a teaching general hospital ED. METHODS: Detailed understanding was gained through process mapping with staff followed by the identification of value streams (those patients likely to be discharged from the ED, those who were likely to be admitted) and the implementation of a process of seeing those patients that minimized complex queuing in the ED. RESULTS: Streaming had a significant impact on waiting times and total durations of stay in the ED. There was a general flattening of the waiting time across all groups. A slight increase in wait for Triage categories 2 and 3 patients was offset by reductions in wait for Triage category 4 patients. All groups of patients spent significantly less overall time in the department and the average number of patients in the ED at any time decreased. There was a significant reduction in number of patients who do not wait and a slight decrease in access block. CONCLUSIONS: The streaming of patients into groups of patients cared for by a specific team of doctors and nurses, and the minimizing of complex queues in this ED by altering the practices in relation to the function of the Australasian Triage Scale improved patient flow, thereby decreasing potential for overcrowding. |
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Authors:
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Diane L King; David I Ben-Tovim; Jane Bassham |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Comparative Study; Evaluation Studies; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA Volume: 18 ISSN: 1742-6731 ISO Abbreviation: Emerg Med Australas Publication Date: 2006 Aug |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2006-07-17 Completed Date: 2006-11-20 Revised Date: 2007-04-19 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101199824 Medline TA: Emerg Med Australas Country: Australia |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 391-7 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Emergency Department, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia. diane.king@fmc.sa.gov.au |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Emergency Service, Hospital
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organization & administration*,
statistics & numerical data Hospital Administration / methods Humans Length of Stay* / statistics & numerical data Models, Organizational Outcome and Process Assessment (Health Care) Quality Assurance, Health Care / methods South Australia Time Factors Triage / organization & administration Waiting Lists* |
| Comments/Corrections | |
Comment In:
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Emerg Med Australas. 2007 Feb;19(1):79
[PMID:
17305671
]
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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