title: Evaluation of Fast Track.
abstract: This paper is the second of two articles discussing the execution and evaluation of implementing a Fast Track program in a West Australian outer metropolitan hospital Emergency Department. The first paper in the series outlined the implementation process over a 12-month period. This current paper presents the findings of the 12-month evaluation utilising Statistical Process Charts. The object of this evaluation was to undertake analysis of data throughout the change process and demonstrate the effectiveness of implementing Fast Track into the Department. Following the implementation of Fast Track, the Department's "Did not wait" rate decreased over a 12-month period from 10% to 5.4%, without a detrimental impact on treatment times for the patients with serious illnesses and injuries. Furthermore, Fast Track resulted in patients with minor injuries or illnesses being seen, treated and discharged within 2 hours of presentation. Indeed the journey time decreased for all Emergency Department patients. As a result of Fast Track, the Emergency Department waiting area is less congested and staff moral has increased. A further consequence of Fast Track is that nurses are providing more advanced clinical services to patients.
authors.affiliation: Joondalup Health Campus, Shenton Avenue, Perth, WA 6027, Australia. combss@ramsayhealth.com.au
authors.forename: Shane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Combs
authors.forename: Rose
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bushby
mesh_terms: D001509:Bed Occupancy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003441:Crowding; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000600:supply & distribution; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D010343:Patient Admission; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014218:Triage / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014904:Western Australia