title: Effectiveness of streamings.
abstract: This study aimed to assess whether a separate stream of minor injuries care in a UK A&E department decreases the waiting time, without delaying the care of those with more serious injury. A doctor saw any ambulant patients with injuries not requiring an examination couch or an urgent intervention, while patients requiring further treatment were returned to the sub-wait area until a nurse could see them. Data were retrospectively extracted from the routine hospital information systems for patients attending A&E for five weeks before the institution of the separate stream system and for five weeks after.