1. An Assessment of the Emergency Department
(1/27/99)
Sara Dawson
Brian Decker
Samira Madhany
Project Advisor: Dr. Doris Quinn
Department of Quality Assurance

2. Is the VUMC Emergency Department Efficient?
Our Goal:
To collect and analyze data so that we can determine if there are any trends in patient flow through the ED. From this data we hope to identify problematic areas and offer possible suggestions for improving patient flow.

3. Why do this?
This information is valuable to the ED because it allows for:
optimizing room efficiency
optimizing staff efficiency
improving patient flow processes
reducing cost

4. How are we going to do this?
With a month’s worth of data, chart varying factors using one or all of the proposed applications:
MS Excel 97
MS Access 97
Web-Based Application (Cold Fusion)

5. Tried to plot sample data on MS Excel 97
What have we done?
Tried to plot sample data on MS Excel 97
Considered moving to MS Access 97 so that users are capable of more sophisticated queries

6. What have we done... Literature Search
Improving quality of service in an emergency room by using simulation model to investigate issues contributing to wait time
Improve quality of service by assessing patient satisfaction based on a questionnaire
Further search: Possible computer software that provides an electronic solution for improving overall quality in the ED

7. What are we working on right now?
Meeting with Dr. Quinn (Quality Assurance), Jim Bihun (Patient Care Financial Manager) and Jane so that they may become aware of our intentions and so that they may request a customization of our efforts to better satisfy multiple needs.
We are also in the process of transferring data from MS Excel 97 to MS Access 97

8. What do we hope to accomplish in the near future?
Observe and flow chart patient flow in the ED
Become familiar with MS Access 97 and custom charting options
Keep an open mind about other options to simplify and provide comprehensive report of ED processes