3 strategies to enhance emergency department throughput

Authored by: 
Heather Pierce, MBA, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
Vice President and Managing Partner

When a person is seeking medical care, the emergency department (ED) is often the first point of contact with the healthcare system. Most EDs are facing challenges with throughput and overcrowding, resulting in increased wait times, delayed treatment, and decreased patient satisfaction. Here are three key strategies to enhance ED throughput. 

1. Triage – Evaluate the triage and registration process to decrease the initial wait time. Streamline the triage process by using standardized protocols, investing in training, and ensuring clear communication within the team. 

2. Overcrowding – Discharge and admission delays frequently result in emergency department overcrowding. Streamline the ED throughput and discharge process for ED patients. Additionally, forming a multidisciplinary team to improve the admission process, establish clear admission criteria, and collaborate with inpatient units and the care transition team can further facilitate the hospital discharge process.

3. Continuous improvement – Adopting a culture of continuous improvement using lean methodologies and six sigma principles. A review of performance metrics, implementing evidence-based practices, and soliciting feedback from staff and patients to enhance the overall ED performance.

Addressing ED throughput is crucial for enhancing patient care, reducing staff and physician burnout, improving patient satisfaction, and increasing overall hospital efficiency. For those seeking expert support in improving ED efficiency, specialized consulting services in throughput and overcrowding optimization can provide valuable assistance.