In This Toolkit

Process Improvement In the ED

The ED is the point of entry into an organization for many patients. Ensuring the safety of patients begins where ever the patient presents and often times quality initiatives base timing of critical care from the patient's point of entry. Information and sample tools to help improve internal processes and compliance with national quality measures are assembled in this section.

Checklists

Physician Reference Severe Sepsis Bundle Pocket Card

Quick reference pocket card to help remind staff physicians of the timeliness of the sepsis bundle interventions.

Flyer/Sign/Poster

Two-Sided Badge Card

Quick reference badge card to help remind staff of the timeliness of the sepsis bundle interventions.

Guidelines/Recommendations

Improving Patient Flow and Reducing Emergency Department Crowding: A Guide for Hospitals

An AHRQ Guide to improving patient flow and ED overcrowding in hospitals. This guide is a performance improvement tool to direct you through the organization of your team, identification of strategies and implementing change to improve patient safety.

Guidelines/Recommendations

SBAR Technique for Communication Process

A document from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) describing the process of handoff using this standardized tool, including a Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation (SBAR) tool.

Patient Safety In the ED

The ED is typically a fast-paced, high-stress clinical environment with a wide range of conditions being treated among a variety of age groups at any given time. Resources in this category are designed to support risk reduction efforts related to unique ED department concerns.

Articles

Addressing Alarm Problems in the Emergency Department

This resource provides tools to address alarm safety in the ED.

Articles

ACLS Medical Training

Resource provides training for healthcare providers responding to life-threatening emergencies.

Assessment tools

ED Discharge Risk Assessment

Discharging a patient from the emergency department at a hospital is a complex process that has many challenges. This risk assessment makes sure all the processes are met to prevent readmissions or adverse events after discharge.

Medication Safety in the ED

Attention to medication safety is of the utmost importance in the ED due to the variety of patient conditions and age groups being treated. Resources are provided to address safe use of medication, as well as moderate and conscious sedation in the ED.

Guidelines/Recommendations

LSBN Statute on Moderate or Conscious Sedation

A statement from the Louisiana State Board of Nursing addressing the scope of practice in nursing regarding the practice of administering medication and monitoring patients during the levels of intravenous procedural/conscious sedation.

Guidelines/Recommendations

CMS Hospital CoP Anesthesia Guidelines 2018

A presentation addressing the most recent guidelines in anesthesia administration as set forth by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Guidelines/Recommendations

Verbal Orders and Medication Overrides: A Dangerous Combination

An article discussing the risks related to verbal orders and medication overrides. The article reviews case studies and provides commentary for process improvement.

Regulatory and Compliance in the ED

This section contains information related to regulations and compliance issues that may impact the ED.

Policy Templates

Louisiana Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (LaPost)

Best practice resource for patients with advanced illnesses and healthcare issues to state their preferences for end of life treatment.

Articles

EMTALA

Resource for information regarding the Federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.

Emergency Preparedness in the ED

The ED plays an important role in an organization's interdisciplinary emergency preparedness plan. Resources in this section are provided to support the ED's unique role in emergency preparedness.

Guidelines/Recommendations

Standardized Hospital Emergency Codes State of Louisiana

A quick tool outlining standardized emergency codes in the state of Louisiana adopted by the Louisiana Policy and Regulatory Committee in 2005.

Webinar Slides

2016 Violence in the ED Presentation

Click to view the presentation slides from the 2016 Violence in the Emergency Department event and expert panel discussion.