Open AccessDiversity for diversity: A “fast track” nursing service model to complement conventional emergency medicine service in a busy urban area emergency department
Author(s) -
Hing Yin Ng,
Kin Ping Fan,
Chor Man Lo
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
hong kong journal of emergency medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.145
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 2309-5407
pISSN - 1024-9079
DOI - 10.1177/1024907920931709
Subject(s) - medicine , service (business) , emergency department , audit , fast track , service delivery framework , medical emergency , service quality , nursing , business , accounting , surgery , marketing
Background: In a busy local emergency department, patients with certain non‐life‐threatening conditions which only require relatively quick and straightforward management may encounter long waiting times. A new service model called the “Fast Track” Nursing Service attempts to lessen the service load of the regular service queues and to improve patient outcomes. Objectives: This article reports the service outcomes of the Fast Track Nursing Service. Methods: Nurses at our department are selected and trained under clinical protocols specially developed for this service. Assessments and quality assurance audits ensure the quality of service. Results: This service resulted in comparatively shorter waiting times for patients included in predetermined clinical protocols. There was also a high level of patient satisfaction with this service. Conclusion: Our Fast Track Enhanced Nursing service is a model of tailored service diversification to shorten waiting times, thus improving patient satisfaction and outcome.