Emergency medicine as a driver of hospital efficiency

Emergency Medicine was introduced as a speciality in Denmark in 2018 to ensure efficient, evidence-based management of acute patients. At North Zealand Hospital, an independent emergency department (ED) was fully implemented in 2021, followed by a consolidation phase. This study aimed to assess how the design of an ED influences the rest of the hospital by examining bed-day consumption during a time with increasing patient volume.

Activity and bed-day utilisation were compared across two 12-month periods: before (1-JUL-2018 to 30-JUN-2019) and after implementation of an independent ED (1-JUN-2023 to 30-JUL-2024). Included were all patients admitted to somatic departments (excluding gynaecology, paediatrics and a casualty unit). For each contact, the responsible speciality at discharge from the ED was registered.

Patient contacts increased by 20% (from 40,061 to 48,193). The proportion of patients managed entirely by emergency medicine rose by 139%, whereas the share handled by the other specialities decreased by 23%. Despite the higher intake, total bed-days decreased by 21%.

Establishment of an independent ED contributed to reduced hospital bed utilisation despite increasing patient load. Emergency medicine qualifies the selection of patients in need of hospitalisation, improves the operational efficiency of the hospital and minimises unnecessary admissions.

None.

Data were drawn fully anonymised for statistical purposes only and therefore did not require formal registration.