Journal of emergency nursing : JEN : official publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
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Creating meaningful and engaging learning opportunities can be challenged by budgets, time, and learning management systems with limited methods of interaction. An innovative method was necessary to meet competency evaluation and continuing education needs for emergency department staff. ⋯ Nurse educators can "escape" the monotony of passive learning by using active learning strategies including the fun of gamification to improve clinical skills and confidence.
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In the emergency department, bedside whiteboards are used to help improve communication, teamwork, and collaboration among health care providers. In addition, previous studies have shown that whiteboards aid the patient with the identification of their health care providers, plan of care, expected length of stay, and overall patient satisfaction. ⋯ Proper materials (markers and erasers) are integral to bedside whiteboard use. Continued staff education on the function of bedside whiteboards may improve proper whiteboard use.
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Triage is a process by which patients are assessed, classified, and sorted based on their presenting complaint and clinical urgency, providing assurance for timely access to emergency care. The goal is to get the right person to the right place, in the right amount of time, for the right reason, and within the context of resource availability. ⋯ This paper discusses the importance of how triage process standardization improves patient care, resource management, and benchmarking at local, national, and international levels by applying 5 internationally recognized triage systems to fictional case studies. Evaluation of similarities and differences in severity scores, with a gap analysis, occurs.
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High-frequency utilizers are defined as patients who present 10 or more times to the emergency department in a rolling 12-month period. High-frequency utilizers contribute to emergency department overcrowding and misuse of resources, and reduce the efficiency of health care systems. Care guides have proven to be an effective tool in reducing high-frequency utilizers. ⋯ The use of care guides was a successful strategy in reducing emergency department visits and the cost of unreimbursed care by high-frequency utilizers by providing them with the education and resources they require to receive health care services in appropriate settings.