PubMed2004
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of a 'See and Treat' system on waiting times for patients attending an Emergency Department with minor injuries and illnesses. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of statistics collected during two study periods and compared for evaluation. RESULTS: The percentage of patients assessed within 15 min increased from 82% to 98%. The percentage of patients seen within 1 h of arrival rose from 63% to 90% using 'See and Treat'. The percentage of patients discharged within 1 h rose from 16% to 41%. The average wait to see a doctor or emergency nurse practitioner dropped from 56 to 30 min. The total average time in the department dropped from 1 h 39 min to 1 h 17 min. During 'See and Treat' the waiting times for all patients within the department were also reduced. CONCLUSION: 'See and Treat' reduces waiting times for patients with minor injuries and illnesses and has a positive effect on waiting times for patients elsewhere in the department.
Efficiency, Organizational↗