ED Errors and Efficiency

• Determination of factors associated with procedural related complications. Should we focus on patient specific factors (e.g. physiology, lab) or system/organizational factors (e.g. staffing, time of day, day of week, census, etc.)?
• Identification of factors associated with elopements and AMA's and the development of a predictive model to assess the likelihood for AMA's/elopements
• Markers of ED Efficiency: Is prolonged care in the ED an indicator of clinical excellence and economic efficiency?
• What are effective uses of the Clinical Decision Unit in the ED, and justify payment from CMS and other sources

Economics and Cost-Effectiveness of EM

• The cost-effectiveness of clinical information, tracking and related systems in the ED
• The cost-effectiveness of bedside sonography for the placement of central lines
• The cost-effectiveness of bedside sonography for clinical diagnosis
• The application of the ED roadmap identified by The Advisory Board

Critical Operating Issues for Large Volume ED’s

• Physician Triage
• Patient Greeting and Front End Management
• Information Systems Application
• Use of Systems for Tracking and Bedside Information Exchange
• Security Issues and ED Violence
• Observation and Holding
• Patient Admitting Times Related to Overcrowding
• Critical Care Patient Interactions with Medical Staff
• Alliances with other Hospital-based groups
• Risk Management
• Patient Processing CQI
• Patient Discharge / Transfer/ “Street Ready” Evaluation
• EMS / Haz-Mat & Disaster Planning
• Exposure Control Issues
• Patient Satisfaction Studies
• Cost Effectiveness
• Use of Physicians Extenders
• Physician Orientation
• Nurse Order Entry
• EMT’s and Medical Students in the ED