CJEM
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Emergency department (ED) crowding compromises patient outcomes. Existing crowding measures are complex and difficult to use in real-time. This study evaluated readily available single flow variables as crowding measures. ⋯ ED occupancy as a single measure has similar predictive accuracy to complex crowding scores and is easily generalizable to diverse emergency departments. Real-time tracking of this simple indicator could be used to prompt investigation and implementation of crowding interventions.
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We sought to compare strengths of association among multiple emergency department (ED) input, throughput and output metrics and the outcome of 72-h ED re-visits. ⋯ Input, throughput and output metrics are all associated with 72-h re-visits. Delays in any of these operational phases have detrimental effects on patient outcomes. ED waiting time, ED occupancy, and boarding times are the most meaningful input, throughput and output metrics. These should be the preferred metrics for quantifying ED crowding in research and quality improvement efforts, and for clinicians to monitor ED crowding in real time.