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Mapping patient flow in a regional Australian emergency department: A model driven approach

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 06:32 authored by Martin, M, Champion, R, Leigh Kinsman, Masman, K
Unified Modelling Language (UML) models of the patient journey in a regional Australian emergency department (ED) were used to develop an accurate, complete representation of ED processes and drive the collection of comprehensive quantitative and qualitative service delivery and patient treatment data as an evidence base for hospital service planning. The focus was to identify bottle-necks that contribute to over-crowding. Data was collected entirely independently of the routine hospital data collection system. The greatest source of delay in patient flow was the waiting time from a bed request to exit from the ED for hospital admission. It represented 61% of the time that these patients occupied ED cubicles. The physical layout of the triage area was identified as counterproductive to efficient triaging, and the results of investigations were often observed to be available for some time before clinical staff became aware. The use of independent primary data to construct UML models of the patient journey was effective in identifying sources of delay in patient flow, and aspects of ED activity that could be improved. The findings contributed to recent department re-design and informed an initiative to develop a business intelligence system for predicting impending occurrence of access block.

History

Publication title

International Emergency Nursing

Volume

19

Pagination

75-85

ISSN

1755-599X

Department/School

School of Nursing

Publisher

Elsevier Ltd

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Evaluation of health and support services not elsewhere classified

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