SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Triagist With Multidisciplinary Support to Assist With Throughput and Discharges

Pdf Summary

This pilot project evaluated a hospitalist-led ED triage model supported by a multidisciplinary team to improve patient throughput and safe discharges during a period of severe capacity strain. The goal was to identify low-acuity ED patients who could be stabilized and discharged, as well as patients needing placement, thereby reducing boarding and easing pressure on the emergency department and inpatient units.<br /><br />A team of hospitalists, ED physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and case management/social work developed the triage workflow. ED physicians referred appropriate low-acuity patients to the hospitalist triagist, who coordinated consultant input, PT evaluation, imaging, and discharge planning. Social work was present in the ED to ensure safe discharge arrangements, including coordination with home health agencies and outside providers. Common discharged diagnoses included chest pain, UTI, DVT/uncomplicated PE, asthma/COPD exacerbation, and generalized weakness.<br /><br />Over a 12-day pilot, 22 patients were discharged, with an estimated savings of about 2 hospital days per discharge. Follow-up over one month showed no readmissions among discharged patients, and care management follow-up calls identified no concerns. The program was less effective on weekends due to lower volume and limited social work availability. Staff also reported improved collaboration between ED and hospitalist teams.<br /><br />Although the triagist role could not continue because of hospitalist staffing shortages, the pilot demonstrated that a multidisciplinary ED triage model can safely support patient discharge and improve throughput. Future plans include resuming the role when staffing allows and measuring cost savings, ED decision-to-departure time, ED length of stay, hospital length of stay, and provider satisfaction.

Asset Subtitle

Alya Ahsan

Meta Tag

Author List Alya Ahsan, Marina Kovacevic

Category Innovations

Concept Emergency Department Triage

Concept Safe Discharge

Concept Lower-Acuity Patient

Concept Hospitalist

Concept Emergency Department Physician

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Endeavor Health

Presenting Author Alya Ahsan

Track Transitions of Care

Keywords

hospitalist-led triage

emergency department throughput

safe discharge

multidisciplinary team

patient boarding

low-acuity patients

case management

social work coordination

ED length of stay

hospital capacity strain

Emergency Department Triage

Safe Discharge

Lower-Acuity Patient

Hospitalist

Emergency Department Physician