The Communication Clerk role in the emergency department.
OBJECTIVE
Analyse the clinical hours saved by the introduction of a dedicated Communications Clerk to the ED.


METHODS
A Communications Clerk role was introduced at Flinders Medical Centre during 2002. Over a seven-week period the number of telephone calls taken and paging performed was logged. This function had previously been performed purely by clinical staff, and the number of clinical hours saved was evaluated.


RESULTS
Over the study period the Communication Clerks worked for 509 h. A total of 7302 telephone calls were answered or made, and 924 pages made. The clinical hours saved was calculated at 243.3. The ratio of hours worked by the Communication Clerk to clinical hours saved overall was 2.1.


CONCLUSIONS
The role of a Communication Clerk in a busy ED is an effective work practice change, particularly in relation to clinical hours saved.
Emergency Department, Flinders Medical Centre, South Road, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia. diane.king@fmc.sa.gov.au
Diane
D
King
D004631:Emergency Medical Service Communication Systems; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D012380:Role; D000078329:Workforce