New Intervention Model of Regional Transfer Network System to Alleviate Crowding of Regional Emergency Medical Center.
10.3346/jkms.2016.31.5.806
- Author:
Jae Yun AHN
1
;
Hyun Wook RYOO
;
Jungbae PARK
;
Jong Kun KIM
;
Mi Jin LEE
;
Jong Yeon KIM
;
Sang Do SHIN
;
Won Chul CHA
;
Jun Seok SEO
;
Young Ae KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea. ryoo@knu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Crowding;
Emergency Medicine;
Referral and Consultation;
Tertiary Care Centers
- MeSH:
Adolescent;
Adult;
Aged;
Aged, 80 and over;
Child;
Child, Preschool;
*Emergency Medical Services;
Female;
Humans;
Length of Stay;
Male;
Middle Aged;
*Models, Theoretical;
Multivariate Analysis;
Referral and Consultation;
Republic of Korea;
Tertiary Care Centers;
Young Adult
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2016;31(5):806-813
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Emergency department (ED) crowding is a serious problem in most tertiary hospitals in Korea. Although several intervention models have been established to alleviate ED crowding, they are limited to a single hospital-based approach. This study was conducted to determine whether the new regional intervention model could alleviate ED crowding in a regional emergency medical center. This study was designed as a "before and after study" and included patients who visited the tertiary hospital ED from November 2011 to October 2013. One tertiary hospital and 32 secondary hospitals were included in the study. A transfer coordinator conducted inter-hospital transfers from a tertiary hospital to a secondary hospital for suitable patients. A total of 1,607 and 2,591 patients transferred from a tertiary hospital before and after the study, respectively (P < 0.001). We found that the median ED length of stay (LOS) decreased significantly from 3.68 hours (interquartile range [IQR], 1.85 to 9.73) to 3.20 hours (IQR, 1.62 to 8.33) in the patient group after implementation of the Regional Transfer Network System (RTNS) (P < 0.001). The results of multivariate analysis showed a negative association between implementation of the RTNS and ED LOS (beta coefficient -0.743; 95% confidence interval -0.914 to -0.572; P < 0.001). In conclusion, the ED LOS in the tertiary hospital decreased after implementation of the RTNS.
