An ED scribe program is able to improve throughput time and patient satisfaction

Abstract Introduction At our institution, we previously described the detrimental effect of computerized physician order entry (CPOE) on throughput time and patient satisfaction ( Ann of Emer Med , Vol 56, P S83-S84). To address these quality metrics, we conducted a pilot program using scribes in th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of emergency medicine 2014-05, Vol.32 (5), p.399-402
Main Authors: Bastani, Aveh, MD, Shaqiri, Blerina, MS, Palomba, Kristen, BS, Bananno, Dominic, BA, Anderson, William, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Efficiency, Organizational
Emergency
Emergency medical care
Emergency Service, Hospital - organization & administration
Female
Hospitals
Hospitals, Community
Humans
Length of Stay - statistics & numerical data
Male
Medical errors
Medical Order Entry Systems
Medical Secretaries
Order entry
Patient Satisfaction
Pilot Projects
Time Factors
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Summary:Abstract Introduction At our institution, we previously described the detrimental effect of computerized physician order entry (CPOE) on throughput time and patient satisfaction ( Ann of Emer Med , Vol 56, P S83-S84). To address these quality metrics, we conducted a pilot program using scribes in the emergency department (ED). Methods We conducted a before-and-after study of ED throughput at our 320-bed suburban community hospital with a census of 70 000 annual visits. Our primary outcome measure was the effect of scribes on ED throughput as measured by the effect on (1) door-to-room time; (2) room-to-doc time; (3) door-to-doc time; (4) doc-to-dispo time; and (5) length of stay for discharged/admitted patients, between pre-CPOE and post-CPOE cohorts. Our secondary outcome measure was patient satisfaction as provided by Press Ganey surveys. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and means were compared using a standard t test. Results Patient data from a total of 11 729 patients in the before cohort were compared with data from 12 609 patients in the after cohort. Despite a 7.5 % increase in volume between the post-CPOE and post-scribe cohorts, all throughput metrics improved in the post-scribe cohort. This process improved the overall door-to-doc time to 61 minutes in the after cohort from 74 minutes in the before cohort. Furthermore, patient and physician satisfaction was improved from the 58th and 62nd percentile to 75th and 92nd percentile, respectively.
ISSN:0735-6757
1532-8171
DOI:10.1016/j.ajem.2013.03.040