Promoting new ways to provide quality care and service in the emergency department

Abstract

Today hospital emergency departments are likely to find themselves filled with more patients than ever before. Sometimes, they may have to close their doors temporarily and divert patients to other facilities. However, many hospitals are starting to acknowledge that solutions to ED problems must be initiated systemwide. This means improving staff scheduling, incorporating new information management systems, implementing bedside registration, rethinking triage procedures, communicating better with other hospitals, reviewing patient satisfaction, and improving the way patients are discharged. The results can be improved quality of care--and more satisfied patients.