Why does efficiency matter?
Beds are a limited commodity and the next patient that needs one might be dying
Mindset changes
Stop trying to diagnose. Try to rule out emergent diagnoses and determine if patient is safe or not safe to send home. Plan on negative work up before it comes back
Sick vs Not Sick
Not an innate skill. It’s learned over time and many patient contacts. Will help you determine dispo before the work up is back.
#1 See ambulance patients first
Potentially the sickest patient in the department. Need orders to be placed.
#2 ABD (Always be dispo’ing)
Discharge the patients that can go home and admit/consult those that need to stay or need a specialist BEFORE seeing new patients that have orders already placed.
#3 Run the board frequently
Should happen after each task that gets completed or new patient gets seen.
#4 Strategically plan non-emergent procedures
Laceration repairs can wait until you get caught up on more important tasks.
#5 Concise admission/consult requests
Few people want to read multiple paragraphs about why the patient is getting admitted. The reason should be clear enough to make concise.
#6 Chart as you go
Getting off late contributes to burnout and you should be signing charts with each disposition.
#7 Don’t repeat work that has already been done
If we are working as a team with a physician, you don’t need to repeat the HPI/PE, focus on following results and do the back end work like consults/admissions/reassessments and discharges.
#8 Show up like the day is going to be a complete disaster
You won’t be disappointed. Show up early because on-time is late. You should be looked up to by staff as the calm in the storm.
#9 Plan your exit early
Don’t sign up for patients in the last hour if you won’t be able to complete a dispo. Plan on which patients will need to be handed off to the next provider and have a CLEAR plan to make the next providers job easier.
#10 Use other providers as a resource
Use the experienced providers you work with as a quick source of education.
#11 Over communicate with ED staff
Nurses can help you out a lot if they know the plan. Delegating tasks is fine but as you get faster, it may be quicker to call lab, x-ray, CT yourself to clarify things are getting done and not lost in the shuf
Everything you hear today from myself and my guests is opinion only and doesn’t represent any organizations or companies that any of us are affiliated with. The stories you hear have been modified to protect patient privacy and any resemblance to real individuals is coincidental. This is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice nor used to diagnose any medical or healthcare conditions. This is not medical advice. If you have personal health concerns, please seek professional care.
Full show notes can be found here: Episodes - Practical EMS - Content for EMTs, PAs, Paramedics
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