Pharmacist and nurse collaboration in managing emergency department crowding and resource allocation
Keywords:
Emergency Department, Overcrowding, Pharmacist-Nurse Collaboration, Performance Metrics, Patient OutcomesAbstract
Background: Overcrowding in Emergency Departments (EDs) is a global challenge that compromises patient safety and care quality. Efficient collaboration between pharmacists and nurses is essential in managing resources and improving patient flow during peak times. Methods: This scoping study systematically reviewed literature from databases including Cochrane, Scopus, and PubMed to identify effective interventions aimed at enhancing ED performance. A comprehensive search strategy utilized medical topic headings and keywords related to performance metrics, interventions, and patient engagement. The review focused on publications from 2012 to 2020, emphasizing interventions involving pharmacists and nurses. Results: Seventy-four articles were included, revealing diverse interventions categorized into practice and process changes, as well as team composition enhancements. Key findings indicated that triage systems, care transitions, and the inclusion of advanced nursing roles significantly improved patient throughput and satisfaction. The study highlighted the importance of utilizing performance metrics such as wait times, length of stay, and patient satisfaction scores to evaluate intervention efficacy. Conclusion: The collaboration between pharmacists and nurses is crucial in addressing ED overcrowding. Interventions that enhance communication, streamline care transitions and incorporate multidisciplinary teams show promise in improving patient outcomes.
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