Systematic review of triage-related interventions to improve patient flow in emergency departments

Abstract: A systematic literature review was undertaken to scientifically explore which interventions improve patient flow in emergency departments. Studies were excluded if they did not present data on waiting time, length of stay, patients leaving the emergency department without being seen or other flow parameters based on a non-selected material of patients. Results: The interventions were grouped into streaming, fast track, team triage, point-of-care testing (performing laboratory analysis in the emergency department), and nurse-requested Scientific evidence on the effect of fast track on waiting time, length of stay, and left without being seen was moderately strong. The effect of team triage on left without being seen was relatively strong, but the evidence for all other interventions was limited or insufficient. Conclusions: Introducing fast track for patients with less severe symptoms results in shorter waiting time, shorter length of stay, and fewer patients leaving without being seen. Team triage, with a physician in the team, will probably result in shorter waiting time and shorter length of stay and most likely in fewer patients leaving without being seen. There is only limited scientific evidence that streaming of patients into different tracks, performing laboratory analysis in the emergency department or having nurses to request certain x-rays results in shorter waiting time and length of stay.

Keywords: Patient flow, Emergency departments.

Title: Systematic review of triage-related interventions to improve patient flow in emergency departments

Author: Noeer Fahes Alenezi, Hela Freah Alenezi, Hind Suleman Alenazi, Abdulrahman Eid Alsuaibi, Hattan Mohammed Khushaim, Khalil Ibrahim Shubayli, Hana Doughim Almutairi

International Journal of Healthcare Sciences

ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)

Vol. 11, Issue 1, April 2023 - September 2023

Page No: 237-245

Research Publish Journals

Website: www.researchpublish.com

Published Date: 04-September-2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8314755

Paper Download Link (Source)

https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/systematic-review-of-triage-related-interventions-to-improve-patient-flow-in-emergency-departments