A computerized log and integrated quality assessment program for the small emergency department

Emergency department staff at Valley View Medical Center, a 48-bed rural hospital in Utah, implemented a computerized log and integrated a quality assessment program within their small department. A microcomputerized relational data base format is used to keep and cross-reference patient logs and audits. The system stores data for use in emergency department quality assurance (QA) activities, for monitoring trends in patient care, and for recredentialing decisions. The computerized program allows staff to significantly increase the amount of information they can collect for QA activities. It also provides rapid, flexible reporting functions for staff and patient feedback and aids in the collection and dissemination of data to regulatory agencies. The system minimizes physician and nurse time spent in recording and collecting data, while simultaneously increasing their QA involvement.