An Ergonomics Study of Patient Flow and Waiting Room Layout Design for an Emergency Medicine Department

Abstract

The objective of the investigation was to perform an ergonomics study of the patient flow and waiting room design facilities at the QEII Emergency Medicine Department with a view to minimize congestion and improve patient care and satisfaction. The patient flow study revealed that the average waiting times (min) for triage categories 1 to 5 varies considerably (1 to 140 minutes) from the recommended waiting times (immediate to 120 minutes). The patient arrival rate varied by day of the week and ranged from a low of 133 on Thursdays to a high of 154 on Mondays. The congestion at the waiting room resulted from: (1) an inadequate number of seating space, (2) an inappropriate location of public washrooms and (3) a lack of designated waiting areas for people to be seen at triage. The number of seating space in the waiting rooms can be increased by: (1) relocating one of the family rooms, (2) rearranging the chairs in the main and sub-waiting rooms and (3) providing additions for wheelchair accessible seating locations. Improved layout for waiting rooms was provided. To further alleviate the congestion in the waiting rooms alternate location/facilities should be considered.

Keywords: Emergency Medicine Department, Patient Flow, Waiting Room Redesign, Wheelchair Accessible Seating Locations

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe100476