What has the 4-hour access standard achieved?
Few performance management measures create as much heat and debate as the 4-hour target for emergency departments. This article critically reviews the history, evidence and effectiveness of the 4-hour standard for patients attending emergency departments.
Consultant Emergency Physician at the Emergency Department, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ and Visiting Senior Research Fellow, Cambridge University.
Adrian
A
Boyle
Suzanne
S
Mason
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003441:Crowding; D004630:Emergencies / Q000453:epidemiology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D009026:Mortality; D057240:Patient Preference; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D061665:Time-to-Treatment / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D006113:United Kingdom