Articles: emergency-department.
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Emerg Med Australas · Dec 2024
Emergency department staff opinion on newly introduced phlebotomy services in the department. A cross-sectional study incorporating thematic analysis.
The demand for ED services, both in terms of patient numbers and complexity has risen over the past decades. According to reports, there has been an increase in the ED patient presentation rate from 330 per 1000 to 334 per 1000 between 2018-2019 and 2022-2023. Consequently, new care models have been introduced to address this surge in demand, mitigate associated risks and improve overall safety. Among these models is the concept of 'front loading' clinical care, involving the initiation of interventions at the point of arrival. The present study evaluates the impact of introducing phlebotomists at triage. ⋯ Staff expressed satisfaction that patient care now begins in the waiting room, especially after extended waiting periods prior to cubicle allocation. They assert that this improvement significantly enhances timely treatment and disposition decisions, as well as overall patient satisfaction.