ER wait time clocks????

[bonestAx]

I have noticed at several hospitals that they have these clocks that are external or even on billboards around town that say ER Wait time 10, 20, etc mins.

Does anyone work at one of these ER's?

What exactly is the time counting? registration, Triage, time to room, time to nurse, time to doc?

Have these clocks changed how you have to do anything?

Do you get complaints if people wait longer than the clock says?

[DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP]

A marketing gimmick ... nothing more, nothing less.

Yup, administrative nonsense at its finest...

[skylark, BSN, RN]

Try working in England.

The government set a target about 10 years ago that ALL patients have to be seen and moved out from ER within four hours, otherwise the hospital gets fined.

And its a lot of money, too.

So of course the emphasis is to see everyone in 'time order', not in order of clinical need.

Crazy.

And sometimes its just not possible to get someone out within four hours.

Take a dislocated shoulder. You do your second xray after relocating it, then wait for them to sleep off the sedation. Some just do not sleep it off within four hours, so what do you do? Make them drink strong coffee?

Make them go out for fresh air?

And what about those waiting for a bed when there isn't one available?

I could list some real horror stories.

Just be grateful this kinda junk hasnt arrived in the US . . . . . . . yet.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

Try working in England.

The government set a target about 10 years ago that ALL patients have to be seen and moved out from ER within four hours, otherwise the hospital gets fined.

And its a lot of money, too.

So of course the emphasis is to see everyone in 'time order', not in order of clinical need.

Crazy.

And sometimes its just not possible to get someone out within four hours.

Take a dislocated shoulder. You do your second xray after relocating it, then wait for them to sleep off the sedation. Some just do not sleep it off within four hours, so what do you do? Make them drink strong coffee?

Make them go out for fresh air?

And what about those waiting for a bed when there isn't one available?

I could list some real horror stories.

Just be grateful this kinda junk hasnt arrived in the US . . . . . . . yet.

I'm sure it's coming. Our wait times in the ER lobby are generally 4 to 5 hours on a good night...

yikes! But if they could get the machine to actually MOVE patients in a timely manner, then that woudl be awesome. By machine, I mean med students and newer residents, that's what slows down the machine.

[OCNRN63, RN]

Speaking of wait times....

Has anyone had any experience yet with the systems where you "call ahead" to "reserve" an appointment time in the ED?

(REALLY this does exist!)

I had an Amish patient's wife call to reserve a room; she felt since they were coming by horse and buggy they should have a room ready and waiting for them.