Improving Patient Flow and Decreasing Patient Length of Stay in the Pediatric Emergency Department Through Implementation of a Fast Track.

Increased utilization of the emergency department (ED) for low acuity concerns saturates EDs, leading to overcrowding. As the ED becomes crowded, the quality of care threatens patient safety and increases length of stay. To improve the efficiency of evaluation and discharge of low acuity patients in the pediatric ED, a performance improvement project was implemented to develop a Fast Track. An interdisciplinary team developed the process of Fast Track, as well as guidelines for low acuity patients who would be evaluated in the designated area by an advanced practice provider and registered nurse team. Within 14 months of operating, length of stay of low acuity patients triaged an emergency severity illness score of 4 or 5 dropped 36% (from 144 to 92 min). Pediatric patients who present to the ED with low acuity concerns can be effectively and efficiently cared for in a timely fashion in a pediatric ED Fast Track.