To explore the literature regarding three key strategies designed to promote patient throughput in the ED. CINAHL, Medline, PubMed, Scopus and Australian Government databases were searched for articles published between 1980 and 2014 using the key search terms ED flow/ throughput, ED congestion, crowding, overcrowding, models of care, physician-assisted triage, medical assessment units, nurse practitioner, did not wait (DNW) and ED length of stay (LOS). Abstracts and articles not published in English and articles published before 1980 were excluded from the review. Quantitative and qualitative studies were considered for inclusion. The National Health Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Level of Evidence Hierarchy (2009) was applied to included studies. Twenty-one articles met criteria for review. The level of evidence assessed using the NHMRC guidelines of studies ranged from I to IV, with the majority falling into the Level II-2 (n = 6) and III-3 (n = 9) range. ED LOS was the outcome most often reported. Study quality was limited with few studies adjusting for confounding factors. Only one level I systematic review was included in this review. Advanced practice nursing roles, physician-assisted triage and medical assessment units are models of care that can positively impact ED throughput. They have been shown to decrease ED LOS and DNW rates. Confounding factors, such as site specific staffing requirements, patient acuity and rest-of-hospital processes, can also impact on patient throughput through the ED.

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Background: Research exploring multi-disciplinary emergency department (ED) clinicians' perceptions of their working environment is limited, although exposure to occupational stressors is frequent. This study describes ED clinicians' perceptions of their working environment, occupational stressors and their use of coping strategies. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 2017 at two Australian public hospital EDs. Nursing and medical staff completed a print-based survey of 100 items, which included three scales and a demographic questionnaire. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Results: Doctors and nurses (n = 241) completed the survey (response rate 45%). Workload featured as a major factor in perception of the working environment and was a frequently occurring stressor. Death or sexual abuse of a child was the highest rated stressor, despite relative infrequency of exposure. When coping strategies were adjusted for sex, female respondents were more likely to use negative strategies such as blaming themselves (Odds Ratio,; p < 0.01) and less likely to use positive strategies such as exercise (OR 0.2 [0.1-0.6]; p < 0.01). Conclusions: While stressors were similarly rated among the diverse group of clinicians, the ways in which they reported coping varied. Further research is required to facilitate design of staff support strategies.

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