Six Sigma success story: reducing variations is key.
Detailed study of processes can reveal key problems and opportunities for improvement. Survey your customers to determine what they will tolerate, then keep staff within those boundaries. Analyze the data to discover the drivers of variation within the process you are targeting. First address those processes that are the exclusive purview of the ED and over which you have the greatest control.
D003625:Data Collection; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D017748:Time Management; D017749:Total Quality Management; D014481:United States