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Accession Number:
ADA616145
Title:
Reasons Military Patients with Primary Care Access Leave an Emergency Department Waiting Room Before Seeing a Provider
Descriptive Note:
Journal article
Corporate Author:
ARMY INST OF SURGICAL RESEARCH FORT SAM HOUSTON TX
Report Date:
2012-10-01
Pagination or Media Count:
6.0
Abstract:
Objectives Our objective was to assess patients understanding of emergency department ED wait times and why patients may leave the waiting room before seeing a provider. Methods Survey of patients in the ED waiting room of an urban tertiary care military hospital where civilian and military patients are treated. Results A total of 508517 surveys 98 were completed. Age ranges were 18 to 35 years 49, 36 to 60 31, or older than 60 20. Education levels were high school 20, some college 37, or college graduate 39. Of 503 respondents, 125 25 had left an ED waiting room before seeing a provider. The reasons included excessive wait times 91 and family responsibilities 5. Five hundred eight reported the factors that would motivate them to wait to see the physician not leave without being seen LWOBS were the severity of illness 64, and if they received an update of wait times 26 82 391480 understood that severely ill patients were seen first. Patients attributed long wait times to doctors and nurses caring for other patients 292583, 50 and insufficient physician and nurse staffing 245, 42. Of 802 responses for ideas to improve the wait, 34 said regular updates on estimated wait times, 21 said television shows or movies to view, 20 said books and magazines to read, and 11 said computers to access. Conclusions Long wait times were the primary reason that patients left before seeing a provider, despite having ready access to care. Respondents attributed long wait times to patient volume and inadequate staffing. Regular updates on wait times and material for entertainment may improve the waiting experience and reduce LWOBS.
Distribution Statement:
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
