Exit block in the emergency department: recognition and consequences.
Exit block and crowding create conditions in emergency departments that can harm patients and the staff who look after them. Key to solving exit block is recognizing that it exists and that the whole hospital is involved in preventing harmful consequences.
Clinical Lead and Consultant in Emergency Medicine in the Emergency Department, Guys and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London SE1 7EH.
Katherine
K
Henderson
Adrian
A
Boyle
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003441:Crowding; D004630:Emergencies / Q000523:psychology*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D010346:Patient Care Management / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D010559:Personnel Management; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D061665:Time-to-Treatment / Q000592:standards*; D006113:United Kingdom