Trends in access block 2011 to 2013: the Redcliffe National Emergency Access Target experience

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Healthcare Management
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The National Emergency Access Target (NEAT) aimed to improve patient flow in emergency departments.
• Access block and long-stay patients are significant challenges in urban hospitals.
• Redcliffe Hospital is a major urban district hospital with over 55,000 annual patient presentations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of NEAT implementation on access block and long-stay patients at Redcliffe Hospital ED.
• To evaluate the feasibility of meeting future NEAT compliance thresholds (2014 and 2015).

Main Methods:

• Analysis of aggregate Emergency Department Information System data from 2011-2013.
• Correlation of patient presentations, NEAT compliance, access block, and long-stay patient numbers.
• Evaluation of trends to predict future NEAT compliance.

Main Results:

• A significant decrease in access block and the number of long-stay patients was observed.
• Improvements in NEAT compliance correlated with reductions in access block and long-stay patients.
• Forward analysis indicates potential non-compliance with 2014/2015 NEAT targets without improved admitted patient management.

Conclusions:

• NEAT implementation has been a key factor in reducing access block at Redcliffe Hospital.
• Achieving the proposed 90% NEAT threshold for 2015 presents significant challenges.
• Re-evaluation and modification of the NEAT target are recommended.