Date of Award
2013
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Committee Chair
Rebecca Beck-Little
Abstract
The purpose of this research study is to retrospectively evaluate whether the implementation of a Results Pending Treatment Area (RPTA) altered patient flow patterns and therefore reduced patient length of stay (LOS) for ambulatory patients in a Level One Trauma Center Emergency Department. The research is justified because a reduction in the length of stay for patients is shown to decrease overcrowding, ED wait times, loss of revenue, and diversion while improving patient safety and patient satisfaction. The Roy Adaptation Model was the overarching theoretical conceptual framework utilized to support the research, with a more detailed emphasis on Swanson's Theory of Caring. The research shows that much has been done that supports the need to reduce constraints in the Emergency Department as well as to curtail the loss of revenue related to lengthy patient stays. Despite all of this, the implementation of a Results Pending Treatment Area has not been implemented and entered into the current body of literature. The study utilized a retrospective descriptive comparative design, and data analysis was conducted utilizing the independent student's t-test. The results showed a statistically significant (p = 0.0016) decrease in total length of stay for patients treated in the Results Pending Treatment Area as compared to those not treated in the Results Pending Treatment Area.
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Citation Information
Bryant, Heather L., "Improving patient flow through the implementation of a results pending treatment area" (2013). Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects. 51.
https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/nursing_etd/51