Managing and Measuring Emergency Department Care: Results of the Fourth Emergency Department Benchmarking Definitions Summit.

Managing and Measuring Emergency Department Care: Results of the Fourth Emergency Department Benchmarking Definitions Summit.

Yiadom Maame Y A B; Napoli Anthony; Granovsky Michael; Parker Rebecca B; Pilgrim Randy; Pines Jesse M; Schuur Jeremiah; Augustine James; Jouriles Nicholas; Welch Shari

Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

2020

2020-04-04

BACKGROUND: A shared language and vocabulary are essential for managing emergency department (ED) operations. This Fourth Emergency Department Benchmarking Alliance (EDBA) Summit brought together experts in the field to review, update, and add to key definitions and metrics of ED operations. OBJECTIVE: Summit objectives were to review and revise existing definitions, define and characterize new practices related to ED operations, and introduce financial and regulatory definitions affecting ED reimbursement. METHODS: Forty-six ED operations, data management, and benchmarking experts were invited to participate in the EDBA summit. Before arrival, experts were provided with documents from the three prior summits and assigned to update the terminology. Materials and publications related to standards of ED operations were considered and discussed. Each group submitted a revised set of definitions prior to the summit. Significantly revised, topical, or controversial recommendations were discussed among all summit participants. The goal of the in-person discussion was to reach consensus on definitions. Work group leaders made changes to reflect the discussion, which was revised with public and stakeholder feedback. RESULTS: The entire EDBA dictionary was updated and expanded. This article focuses on an update and discussion of definitions related to specific topics that changed since the last summit, specifically ED intake, boarding, diversion, and observation care. In addition, an extensive new glossary of financial and regulatory terminology germane to the practice of emergency medicine is included. CONCLUSIONS: A complete and precise set of operational definitions, time intervals, and utilization measures is necessary for timely and effective ED care. A common language of financial and regulatory definitions that affect ED operations is included for the first time. This article and its companion dictionary should serve as a resource to ED leadership, researchers, informatics and health policy leaders, and regulatory bodies.

health; impact; length; performance-measures

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journalArticle

1553-2712 1069-6563

NEOMED College of Medicine

Department of Emergency Medicine

June 2020 Update II

Summa Health System Akron City Hospital