Decreasing Assessment to Disposition Time in Labor and Delivery Triage

Poster PresentationPurpose for the ProgramThe purpose of this program was to enhance efficiency in a labor and delivery (L&D) triage managed by registered nurses (RNs).Proposed ChangeThe Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) L&D staff implemented five major changes in triage. These changes started with decreasing registration time to facilitate timeliness in getting the woman to triage. The creation of a patient care technician (PCT) position expedited entry of the woman's information into the Electronic Medical Record. Defining standard work for nurses and creating a standard physician triage order set completed the process and made it more efficient.Implementation, Outcomes, and EvaluationAAMC's L&D nursing team examined the triage process in 2012 when the average time in triage was 166 minutes. In 2013, after staff education and the incorporation of changes into nursing and PCT practices, the average time in triage decreased by 20%.Implications for Nursing PracticeExploring triage patient flow and a willingness to make changes resulted in a decrease in time from assessment to disposition in triage. Decreasing total length of stay in triage improves staff efficiency and patient satisfaction.
Source: Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Childbearing Source Type: research