To counter the adverse effects of emergency room overcrowding, the author of this paper proposes the implementation of a fast-track program. FTAs are designed to handle urgent conditions that can be treated quickly. Patients that are classified as non-urgent (ESI levels 4 or 5) are seen in a designated area within the emergency department. One could describe the FTA as an express lane to treat those with less serious illnesses or injuries. A study performed in Turkey showed that FTAs lessen overcrowding and improve effectiveness and quality of care (Aksel et al., 2014). An extensive literature review revealed other documented studies reporting similar results. To gauge ED crowding, the researchers measured WTs, LOS, LWBS rates, and patient
…show more content…
Aksel et al. (2014) reported a reduction in wait times from 20 minutes to 10 minutes after the implementation of an FTA in Pakistan. Cooke, Wilson, & Pearson (2001) cited the relative risk of a trauma patient waiting over an hour to be decreased by 32%. Ieraci et al. (2008) stated a mean reduction if WT from 55 to 32 minutes after an FTA was opened in Australia. A tertiary care hospital in the United States described a WT reduction from 102 minutes to 51 minutes despite a 4.3% increase in the number of patients (Sanchez, Smally, Grant, & Jacobs, 2006). A Dutch emergency room introduced an FTA staffed by a PA, without adding any additional staff to the ED, and reduced their WT by 69% (Theunissen et al., …show more content…
(1997) concluded that reducing the LOS was associated with a decrease in those patients who LWBS. The LWBS rate improved from 2.4% to 1.1%. Other studies had similar findings when FTAs were implemented. Aksel et al., (2014) documented a reduction LWBS rate from 21% to 10% and Al Darrab et al. (2006) conveyed a decrease from 5% to 2%. Sanchez, et al. (2006) conveyed a decrease in the rate of patients who LWBS from 7.78% to 3.72%. A study by a University-affiliated ED revealed a decrease in the LWBS rate from 6.7% to 3.9% when they implemented an FTA (Nash, Zachariah, Nitschmann, & Psencik,
Aksel et al. (2014) reported a reduction in wait times from 20 minutes to 10 minutes after the implementation of an FTA in Pakistan. Cooke, Wilson, & Pearson (2001) cited the relative risk of a trauma patient waiting over an hour to be decreased by 32%. Ieraci et al. (2008) stated a mean reduction if WT from 55 to 32 minutes after an FTA was opened in Australia. A tertiary care hospital in the United States described a WT reduction from 102 minutes to 51 minutes despite a 4.3% increase in the number of patients (Sanchez, Smally, Grant, & Jacobs, 2006). A Dutch emergency room introduced an FTA staffed by a PA, without adding any additional staff to the ED, and reduced their WT by 69% (Theunissen et al., …show more content…
(1997) concluded that reducing the LOS was associated with a decrease in those patients who LWBS. The LWBS rate improved from 2.4% to 1.1%. Other studies had similar findings when FTAs were implemented. Aksel et al., (2014) documented a reduction LWBS rate from 21% to 10% and Al Darrab et al. (2006) conveyed a decrease from 5% to 2%. Sanchez, et al. (2006) conveyed a decrease in the rate of patients who LWBS from 7.78% to 3.72%. A study by a University-affiliated ED revealed a decrease in the LWBS rate from 6.7% to 3.9% when they implemented an FTA (Nash, Zachariah, Nitschmann, & Psencik,