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Early lessons from COVID ‐19 that may reduce future emergency department crowding
Author(s) -
Mazurik Laurie,
Javidan Arshia P,
Higginson Ian,
Judkins Simon,
Petrie David,
Graham Colin A,
Bonning John,
Hansen Kim,
Lang Eddy
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
emergency medicine australasia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.602
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1742-6723
pISSN - 1742-6731
DOI - 10.1111/1742-6723.13612
Subject(s) - crowding , medicine , covid-19 , emergency department , pandemic , crowding out , medical emergency , virology , nursing , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease , neuroscience , outbreak , monetary economics , economics , biology
Abstract The COVID‐19 pandemic has produced significant changes in emergency medicine patient volumes, clinical practice, and has accelerated a number of systems‐level developments. Many of these changes produced efficiencies in emergency care systems and contributed to a reduction in crowding and access block. In this paper, we explore these changes, analyse their risks and benefits and examine their sustainability for the future to the extent that they may combat crowding. We also examine the necessity of a system‐wide approach in addressing ED crowding and access block.