Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide
09:52

Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide

Published on: January 15, 2017

Reducing cycle times in pediatric emergency medicine

Alison S Brent1, Wassam M Rahman, Lori L Knarr

  • 1Emergency Medicine, The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO, USA. brent.alison@tchden.org

Pediatric Emergency Care
|May 1, 2009
PubMed

Insights

This study successfully reduced pediatric emergency department cycle times and pain medication administration times. These improvements in operational efficiency were sustained over four years, setting new benchmarks for pediatric emergency medicine.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Healthcare Operations Management
  • Process Improvement

Background:

  • Reducing emergency department (ED) cycle times is a critical challenge in pediatric care.
  • There is limited literature on improving efficiency in pediatric emergency settings.
  • Optimizing patient flow and care delivery is essential in busy pediatric EDs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To decrease emergency department cycle times in pediatric care.
  • To establish benchmarks for efficiency in pediatric emergency medicine.
  • To evaluate the sustainability of implemented process improvements.

Main Methods:

  • Implemented targeted interventions to enhance operational and clinical efficiency.
  • Set specific goals for reducing time in department (TID) and time to pain medication administration.
  • Conducted a longitudinal study over five years to assess the sustainability of results.

Main Results:

  • Achieved a 9% reduction in mean TID for the main ED and a 16% reduction in the Quick Kid (QK) area within the first year.
  • Decreased time to pain medication for suspected fractures by 58% in the initial year.
  • Demonstrated sustainability of all observed improvements over a four-year follow-up period, despite increasing patient volumes.

Conclusions:

  • Successfully reduced ED cycle times and pain medication administration times in pediatric patients.
  • The achieved efficiency gains were sustainable long-term.
  • This study provides benchmarks for process improvement in pediatric emergency medicine and encourages similar initiatives.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn11:27

A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn

Published on: April 7, 2023

Optimized Management of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke09:21

Optimized Management of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Published on: January 18, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation I: Adult01:21

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation I: Adult

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is a life-saving emergency procedure performed when a person's heart has stopped beating or they are no longer breathing. The foundation of CPR is Basic Life Support (BLS), which focuses on the early recognition of cardiac arrest, the immediate start of high-quality chest compressions, and the timely use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).Assessing Responsiveness and Checking the Carotid PulseWhen approaching an unresponsive person, first ensure...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management01:25

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management

Pharmacologic intervention is crucial in treating cardiac arrest patients during ACLS or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support. The ACLS algorithms guide the administration of specific drugs based on the patient's cardiac arrest rhythm, which includes pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), asystole, and pulseless electrical activity (PEA).EpinephrineIndication: Epinephrine is the first-line drug for all cardiac arrest rhythms.Mechanism of Action: Epinephrine...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management01:22

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management

Airway management is a key skill in emergency and critical care settings, as maintaining a clear airway is essential for adequate oxygenation and ventilation.Head Tilt-Chin Lift TechniqueThe head tilt-chin lift maneuver is an essential technique primarily used in patients without suspected cervical spine injuries. To perform this maneuver, one hand is placed on the patient’s forehead, and gentle pressure is applied backward to tilt the head. The fingertips of the other hand are positioned under...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation III: AED Use01:23

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation III: AED Use

Introduction to AEDAn Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a portable medical device that analyzes the heart's rhythm and, if necessary, delivers an electrical shock to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). SCA occurs when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating, leading to a loss of blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. In such emergencies, time is of the essence, and using an AED, combined with Cardiopulmonary...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...