Directors of emergency medicine's beliefs about, barriers to, and enablers of solutions to emergency department crowding and access block. (20th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rixon, Andrew; Wilson, Samuel; Judkins, Simon; White, Peter
• Is Part Of: Emergency medicine Australasia. Volume 32:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 679
• Page End: 682
• Publication Date: 2020-05-20
• Subjects: directors of emergency medicine -- leadership -- overcrowding and access block; Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; Emergency medicine -- Australasia -- Periodicals; 616.025
• DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.13523
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-6731

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To identify opportunities for directors of emergency medicine (DEMs) to lead change efforts to address ED crowding and access block. Methods: DEMs were surveyed about their beliefs about, barriers to, and enablers of solutions to ED crowding and access block. Results: Key barriers were insufficient resources, entrenched hospital culture, and lack of political will to address ED crowding and access block. Key enablers were developing hospital‐wide understanding of the problems, developing a supportive hospital culture, and improved engagement by hospital executive. Conclusion: Addressing the political and cultural forces that sustain ED crowding and access block are key adaptive challenges requiring DEM leadership.