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

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