Effect of emergency department fast track on emergency department length of stay: a case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of fast track on emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS).


METHODS
Pair-matched case-control design in a public teaching hospital in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia.


METHODS
Patients treated by the ED fast track (cases) between 1 January and 31 March 2007 were compared with patients treated by the usual ED processes (controls) from 1 July to 15 November 2006 (n = 822 matched pairs).


METHODS
ED fast track was established in November 2006 and focused on the management of patients with non-urgent complaints.


METHODS
The primary outcome measure was ED LOS for fast-track patients. Secondary outcomes were waiting times and ED LOS for other ED patients.


RESULTS
Median ED LOS for non-admitted patients was 132 minutes (interquartile range (IQR) 83-205.25) for controls and 116 minutes (IQR 75.5-159.0) for cases (p<0.01). Fast-track patients had a significantly higher incidence of discharge within 2 h (53% vs 44%, p<0.01) and 4 h (92% vs 84%, p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
ED fast track decreased ED LOS for non-admitted patients without compromising waiting times and ED LOS for other ED patients.
Considine
J
J
Deakin University, Northern Health Clinical Partnership, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia. julie.considine@deakin.edu.au
Kropman
M
M
Kelly
E
E
Winter
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D014218:Triage / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014739:Victoria; D055815:Young Adult