Triage-Related Interventions for Enhancing Patient Flow in Emergency Departments
Keywords:
Emergency Department, Triage, Patient Flow, Electronic Triage Systems, Staff Training.Abstract
Introduction:
Emergency departments (EDs) globally face challenges in managing patient flow efficiently, which is critical for delivering timely and quality care. Overcrowding in EDs has been linked to increased waiting times and decreased patient satisfaction, necessitating effective triage-related interventions. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of various triage-related interventions in enhancing patient flow within emergency departments, focusing on the most recent interventional studies and clinical trials.
Methods:
A comprehensive search strategy was employed across PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and CINAHL databases, focusing on studies published in the last 5 years up to 2022. Only interventional studies and clinical trials that specifically addressed triage processes in EDs were included. The search terms encompassed a combination of keywords related to triage, patient flow, and emergency department efficiency. Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, with data extracted using a standardized form and analyzed to compare the effectiveness of different interventions.
Results:
The review included ten studies, revealing significant improvements in patient flow through various interventions. Electronic triage systems were shown to reduce waiting times by up to 20%, while rapid assessment protocols improved patient throughput by 25%. Staff training programs were associated with a 15% increase in patient processing speed. Physical layout modifications in the triage area led to a 10% decrease in the overall length of stay in the ED. These interventions not only improved operational metrics but also positively impacted patient satisfaction.
Conclusions:
Triage-related interventions, including electronic triage systems, rapid assessment protocols, and staff training, significantly enhance patient flow in emergency departments. The review underscores the importance of implementing tailored strategies to improve efficiency and quality of care in EDs. Future research should focus on overcoming the limitations of language bias and the exclusion of observational studies to provide a more comprehensive understanding of effective triage practices.
