Journal of Emergency Nursing
Volume 35, Issue 2 , Pages 109-113 , March 2009

Using Medical Screening Examinations to Reduce Emergency Department Overcrowding

  • Kathleen Nash, RN, FNP, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationFor correspondence, write: Kathleen Nash, RN, FNP, PhD, School of Nursing, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555-1029
    • ,
  • Hoang Nguyen, PhD
    • ,
  • Melinda Tillman, RN, MSN

References 

  1. Derlet RW. Overcrowding in emergency departments: increased demand and decreased capacity. Ann Emerg Med. 2002;39:430–432
  2. Richardson LD, Asplin BR, Lowe RA. Emergency department crowding as health policy issue: past development, future directions. Ann Emerg Med. 2002;40:388–393
  3. Weiss SJ, Derlet RW, Arndhal J, et al. Estimating the degree of emergency department overcrowding in academic medical centers: results of the National ED Overcrowding Study (NEDOCS). Acad Emerg Med. 2004;11:38–50
  4. McCabe JC. Emergency department overcrowding: a national crisis. Acad Med. 2001;76:672–674
  5. Isaacman DJ, Poirier MP. ED overcrowding-meeting many needs. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2004;20:710–716
  6. Velianoff GD. Overcrowding and diversion in the emergency department: the healthcare safety net unravels. Nurs Clin North Am. 2002;37:59–66
  7. Prutzman L. Medical screening exams help hospitals maintain community commitment to emergency care. Enewsletter. Volume 2; Issue 3; Thursday, June 16, 2005. George Washington University Medical Center. Available from: URL: http://www.urgentmatters.org/enewsletter/volume2/issue3/enews.aspAccessed February 15, 2006
  8. Hunt K, Weber EJ, Showstack JA, Colby DC, Callaham ML. Characteristics of frequent users of emergency departments. Ann Emerg Med. 2006;48:1–8
  9. Fuda KK, Immekus R. Frequent users of Massachusetts emergency departments: a statewide analysis. Ann Emerg Med. 2006;48:9–16
  10. Derlet RW, Nishio D, Cole LM, Silva J. Triage of patients out of the emergency department: three-year experience. Am J Emerg Med. 1992;10:195–199
  11. Diesburg-Stanwood A, Scott J, Oman K, Whitehill C. Non-emergent ED patients referred to community resources after medical screening examination: characteristics, medical condition after 72 hours, and use of follow-up services. J Emerg Nurs. 2004;30:312–317
  12. Viner KM, Bellino M, Kirsch TD, Kivela P, Silva JC. Managed care organization authorization denials: lack of patient knowledge and timely alternative ambulatory care. Ann Emerg Med. 2000;35:272–276
  13. Smith WC. EMTALA—what is an “appropriate medical screening examination?” Emergency Nurses Association. 1999. Available from: URL: http://www.ena.org/government/emtala/article2.aspAccessed August 25, 2006
  14. Zachariah B. Medical screening exam process. University of Texas Medical Branch, Division of Emergency Medicine, Galveston, Texas. 2005. Available from: URL: http://www.utmb.edu/er/screeningAccessed August 25, 2006

 No grants or other funding was received for this study. This work has not been presented elsewhere.

PII: S0099-1767(08)00056-1

doi: 10.1016/j.jen.2008.02.016

Journal of Emergency Nursing
Volume 35, Issue 2 , Pages 109-113 , March 2009

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution