Open AccessThe effect of a zero-diversion policy on emergency department performance measures
Author(s) -
Eman Spaulding,
Laurie Byrne,
Eric S. Armbrecht,
Collin Jackson,
Preeti Dalawari
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of hospital administration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1927-7008
pISSN - 1927-6990
DOI - 10.5430/jha.v2n4p144
Subject(s) - medicine , emergency department , against medical advice , emergency medicine , census , demography , medical emergency , pediatrics , nursing , environmental health , population , sociology
This study examines how emergency department (ED) performance measures at an academic tertiary care center in the Midwest were affected by a regionally-adopted zero diversion policy. Two six-month periods before and after the policy was enacted were selected to measure differences in key performance measures, including left without treatment (LWOT), left without being seen (LWBS), left against medical advice (AMA), mortality, length of stay and hospital admission rate. Total ED census during the two periods was similar. While the zero diversion policy was in effect, LWOT and LWBS rates were 19.4% and 18.2% lower, respectively, than the prior period, p < .002; discharged patients had faster treatment times (228 + 8.0 minutes vs. 242 + 9.0 minutes), p = .015. No differences were observed in AMA or mortality rates. This study revealed no worsening of ED performance measures after adoption of a zero diversion policy.