Working in a fast paced Emergency Department appears to be the goal of many nursing students as they embark on the initial voyage of their nursing journey; however, there is little known to the student who has yet to partake in their first clinical course. For example, while a fast pace, quick patient turnover, may seem to be an exciting and rewarding path; the stressful demands of ED crowding may send the inexperienced student, or nurse for that matter, running home with their tale between their legs. This is an area that I would love to work in and because of this have decided to examine further what constitutes ED crowding and if there a way to control it? The professional organization chosen to research the above questions was the
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Sure, while perusing the JEN there were several articles that demanded more attention; whether it was about relieving anxiety in ED patient population, patient satisfaction and the delivery of quality care in the ED or other issue that happen regularly in the ED; however, the topic that really jumped out to me is the one is a result of these scenarios and more. Even before one gets into clinical experience it is essential to become familiar with some of the skills and conditions that will be faced, particularly when they are most extreme; this will enable the student to be better prepared for them. When I read, The Evolution of ED Crowding it hit me like a ton of bricks, it made me realize that this isn’t a new phenomenon but something that has persisted for some period of time and, for all intense and purposes, will only increase. For someone who aspires to work in the ED it is a requirement to recognize when the ED is “overcrowded”, adapt and provide efficient care to limit …show more content…
It is important to first identify ED crowding, to do so you must notice when diversion (incoming ambulances being diverted) and boarding (patients not able to be transferred or admitted) pick up; as well as when an increased number of patients leave without receiving care; these are the telltale signs of an overcrowded ED (Bellows & Gillespie, 2014). Again, perhaps the biggest contribution to regulate ED crowding has been the Input-Throughput-Output conceptual model; it helped in the realization that it is not only an ED problem but is a multidimensional issue within the hospital (Bellows & Gillespie, 2014). This model has also led to the realization that ED crowding is a patient flow issue as much as anything and it is now being looked at throughout the whole organization; this has greatly developed the discussion of patient flow in acute settings (Bellows & Gillespie, 2014). In the end, ED crowding has been an issue for just about as long ED’s have been around but as we enter the era of the Affordable Care Act, which happens to coincide with the aging of the baby boomers, it is only natural to expect that ED’s are going to be inundated with patients for the for seeable future. For these reasons alone hospitals should be prepared for the influx of patients that the ED is sure to see in the coming years and if they
Sure, while perusing the JEN there were several articles that demanded more attention; whether it was about relieving anxiety in ED patient population, patient satisfaction and the delivery of quality care in the ED or other issue that happen regularly in the ED; however, the topic that really jumped out to me is the one is a result of these scenarios and more. Even before one gets into clinical experience it is essential to become familiar with some of the skills and conditions that will be faced, particularly when they are most extreme; this will enable the student to be better prepared for them. When I read, The Evolution of ED Crowding it hit me like a ton of bricks, it made me realize that this isn’t a new phenomenon but something that has persisted for some period of time and, for all intense and purposes, will only increase. For someone who aspires to work in the ED it is a requirement to recognize when the ED is “overcrowded”, adapt and provide efficient care to limit …show more content…
It is important to first identify ED crowding, to do so you must notice when diversion (incoming ambulances being diverted) and boarding (patients not able to be transferred or admitted) pick up; as well as when an increased number of patients leave without receiving care; these are the telltale signs of an overcrowded ED (Bellows & Gillespie, 2014). Again, perhaps the biggest contribution to regulate ED crowding has been the Input-Throughput-Output conceptual model; it helped in the realization that it is not only an ED problem but is a multidimensional issue within the hospital (Bellows & Gillespie, 2014). This model has also led to the realization that ED crowding is a patient flow issue as much as anything and it is now being looked at throughout the whole organization; this has greatly developed the discussion of patient flow in acute settings (Bellows & Gillespie, 2014). In the end, ED crowding has been an issue for just about as long ED’s have been around but as we enter the era of the Affordable Care Act, which happens to coincide with the aging of the baby boomers, it is only natural to expect that ED’s are going to be inundated with patients for the for seeable future. For these reasons alone hospitals should be prepared for the influx of patients that the ED is sure to see in the coming years and if they