Insights
Case Study
Improving Emergency Department Throughput and Labor Expenses
March 2, 2022
Situation
A hospital emergency department (ED) within a recognized Magnet™ center of nursing excellence had exhibited longer than-desired lengths of stay (LOS) and a higher-than-desired worked hours per patient visit (wHPPV) rate. The ED had 28,000 annual visits with growing volumes.
Approach and Solution
A department performance improvement team was formed alongside BRG professionals as part of a systemwide initiative to right-size the organization for optimum quality care at the most efficient cost and to focus on improving both LOS and staffing practices.
Key initiatives included:
- Implementation of real-time performance analytics tools for leaders to use in making informed decisions
- Implementation of a streamlined arrival-to-provider process with documentation standardization across the system
- Implementation of changes to permanent staffing plans based on patient historical arrival patterns and LOS metrics
- Staff education and subsequent implementation of real-time staffing-to-demand tools