QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians
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Early consultant review has been shown to improve outcomes in patients presenting to the Acute Medical Unit (AMU). The Society for Acute Medicine (SAM) clinical quality indicators use the time of arrival on the AMU for target rather than arrival in the Emergency Department (ED) although this is where most acute medical patients present. ⋯ A 7-day Acute Physician working model is improving performance with regards to patient waiting times. We suggest that starting the clock for acute medical patients in the ED is a better measure of performance than on arrival to the AMU.