Accelerating Care: Enhancing Patient Satisfaction through a Quality Initiative in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Emergency Department at Al Wakra Hospital, Qatar
Background
Al Wakra Hospital's Obstetrics and Gynaecology Emergency Department (OB ED) faced challenges of overcrowding, and prolonged wait times. To address these issues and enhance the overall departmental efficiency, a novel approach was implemented to tackle throughput challenges as part of a Quality Improvement project to reduce overall patients’ waiting times in the OB ED from 35 minutes in 2020 to 28 minutes by 2023.
Methods
The project utilized the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model, involving a diverse team collecting baseline data and introducing throughput improvements. Post-implementation data and feedback were analysed, leading to the integration of effective interventions into standard procedures. These interventions included optimized space utilization, real-time communication, bedside registration, technology integration, pre-triage screening, enhanced communication and patient education, consultant presence, and a culture of continuous improvement.
Results
The strategies implemented significantly reduced waiting times, enhancing both patient care and operational efficiency. A substantial reduction in overall average waiting time was achieved, dropping from 35 minutes in 2020 to approximately 14 minutes in 2023 (Figure 1). Wait times for priority 1 cases reduced from 22 to 0 minutes, and for priority 2 cases, from 32 minutes to approximately 13.6 minutes over the same period. The proportion of patients spending less than 8 hours in the OB ED observation beds rose from 74% in January 2022 to over 98% in 2023. Notably, there was a remarkable decrease in patients who Left Without Being Seen (LWBS) and in absconded patient rates from 2020 to 2023 (Figure 2).
Conclusion
The project resulted in a profound change in the Department's operational environment, embedding efficiency in the unit's culture and positively influencing operations in other departments. This presents a promising model for adoption in other settings. Further work is considered to continually refine and enhance the interventions, possibly expanding their application to other units.
History
Language
- English
Publisher
Hamad Medical CorporationPublication Year
- 2024
License statement
This Item is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.Institution affiliated with
- Hamad Medical Corporation
- Al Wakra Hospital - HMC
- Ministry of Public Health