SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Pilot to Increase the Number of Patient Transfers From Amc Ed to a Community Hospital Setting

Pdf Summary

This document describes a pilot program at an academic medical center (AMC) designed to increase transfers from the emergency department (ED) to a community hospital. The effort was driven by frequent AMC occupancy above 100% and the need to preserve tertiary care capacity while improving system-wide access and efficiency.<br /><br />The pilot ran for four weeks on weekdays only. It added coordinated ED administration support, a hospital medicine APP, and a remote/virtual hospitalist triage shift that covered peak admission hours. A bed control nurse and admissions office staff also supported the workflow. The hospitalist reviewed every medicine and cardiology bed request to determine whether a patient could be safely managed at a community hospital, discharged from the ED, or sent to home hospital care. The team also addressed barriers by contacting consultants, speaking directly with patients to explain community hospital care, and coordinating with community hospital physicians.<br /><br />Results were positive. During the pilot, average weekday transfers from the AMC ED to the community hospital nearly doubled, increasing from 3.0 to 5.7 per day. Weekend transfer rates did not change because the new workflow did not operate on weekends. Patient consent for community transfer increased by 36%, and community hospital physician declines decreased by 35%. Community hospital occupancy rose from 86% to 96%, with an estimated net revenue benefit from improved bed utilization.<br /><br />The project concluded that a collaborative ED and hospital medicine model can significantly improve transfer volume and accuracy. The team plans to resume pilot work in Spring 2026 and continue expanding transfers to community hospitals and the home hospital program.

Asset Subtitle

Erin C. O'Fallon

Meta Tag

Author List DaMarcus Baymon, Erin C. O'Fallon, Johanna Baldassari, Johnothan Smileye

Category Innovations

Concept Transfer

Concept Pilot Program

Concept Triage

Concept Academic Medical Center

Concept Emergency Department

Distinguished Finalist

Presenter Organization Brigham and Womens Hospital

Presenting Author Erin C. O'Fallon

Track Transitions of Care

Keywords

emergency department

community hospital transfers

hospital medicine

bed control

patient triage

occupancy management

pilot program

virtual hospitalist

home hospital care

tertiary care capacity

Transfer

Pilot Program

Triage

Academic Medical Center

Emergency Department