Evaluation of Patient Flow andWaiting Time for the First Physician Visit in an Overcrowded Emergency Department

Background: The velocity of providing services in health centers is crucial to reduce mortality and adverse outcomes.Objectives: The present study aimed at determining the waiting time from entering the emergency department (ED) up to physicianvisiting based on congestion in the triple shift at Shahid Mohammadi Hospital in Bandar Abbas, Iran.Methods: The current cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted in ۲۰۱۹ on ۱۲۸۵ subjects selected from three shifts. The datacollection tools included demographic data and standard triage forms, as well as a timetable with a stopwatch. The time betweenpatient arrival and physician visit was recorded. SPSS software version ۲۱ was employed to analyze the data.Results: The highest percentage of patients, ۶۵.۱% (n = ۸۳۷), was non-traumatic, ۳۸.۹۸% (n = ۵۰۱) referred during the evening shift,and ۴۷.۵۴% (n = ۶۱۱) were related to the triage level ۳. The maximum average waiting time from the beginning to the end of thetriage was ۴.۴۶, and up to the physician, the visit was ۱۲.۸ minutes.Waiting time from entering ED up to physician first visit in termsof gender, refer to ED, and cause of referral statistically divulged a significant difference (P < ۰.۰۵). Estimation of the maximumcongestion in the department was from ۱۶:۰۰ to ۲۰:۰۰, which showed a significant difference with other day times (P < ۰.۰۵).Conclusions: The average waiting time for patients was higher than the global standard. The interventions based on the maximumcongestion in ED can be effective in reducing patient waiting time.

Keywords:

Waiting Time , Crowding , Emergency Department