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. 2021 Apr;33(2):202-213.
doi: 10.1111/1742-6723.13747. Epub 2021 Feb 23.

Review article: Have emergency department time-based targets influenced patient care? A systematic review of qualitative literature

Katie Walker  1   2 , Bridget Honan  3 , Daniel Haustead  4 , David Mountain  5 , Vinay Gangathimmaiah  6 , Roberto Forero  7 , Rob Mitchell  8 , Ella Martini  9 , Greg Tesch  10 , Ian Bissett  11 , Peter Jones  12
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Review article: Have emergency department time-based targets influenced patient care? A systematic review of qualitative literature

Katie Walker et al. Emerg Med Australas. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Time-based targets for ED length of stay were introduced in England in 2000, followed by the rest of the UK, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia after ED crowding was associated with poor quality of care and increased mortality. This systematic review evaluates qualitative literature to see if ED time-based targets have influenced patient care quality. We included 13 studies from four countries, incorporating 617 interviews. We conclude that time-based targets have impacted on the quality of emergency patient care, both positively and negatively. Successful implementation depends on whole hospital resourcing and engagement with targets.

Keywords: delivery of healthcare; healthcare quality, access and evaluation; healthcare systems; medicine, emergency; qualitative research; review, systematic.

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References

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