ED Manag. 2004 Apr;16(4):37-9.
Waiting times in the ED can be reduced by making better use of triage nurses as greeters and by giving them more authority to send patients directly back to open beds. The VHA network of hospitals reports average waiting times of less than an hour with expanded use of triage nurses. Assign nurses to specific rooms so the triage nurse can hand off patients efficiently. Provide account numbers as soon as the patient comes in the door.
