Overcrowding at Children’s Hospitals Can Be Overcome
June 13, 2010
Posted by chcablogadmin in : Innovation, Quality
A study of 39 children’s hospitals revealed that few have a real understanding of how to resolve overcrowding — issues that can lead to impaired patient flow, inefficiencies and an increased potential for adverse events. The study, which analyzed PHIS data, found that children’s hospitals commonly function at high occupancy, but used limited corrective measures. Responses to overcrowding, such as small and counterintuitive measures, included releasing non-critical patients to decreasing length of stay.
According to the study’s senior author, Samir Shah, M.D., a pediatrician and infectious disease doctor at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, children’s hospitals should focus on identifying methods to reduce crowding. “It is important from both from a quality improvement and business case standpoint,” he states.
The study, published in Pediatrics, outlined recommendations for reducing overcrowding, including:
- schedule elective admissions during times of lighter emergency volume;
- make greater use of weekend options;
- create units that offer extended-care ED or short-stay inpatient care;
- expand hours at primary care practices, and
- create areas for lower-acuity patients.
Learn more from Dr. Shah in the video.
The CHCA research group, which conducted this study, brings together 10-20 CHCA doctors for each project and utilizes PHIS data for analysis. Current and recently published research includes shunting, comparative effectiveness of drugs, implementation of CPOE and mortality (see this week’s blog entry from guest blogger, Chris Dawes), and the impact of H1N1 on the E.D.
For more information about any of these projects, please contact Matt Hall (matt.hall@chca.com).
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