Optimizing Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton's Primary Care Access by Managing Demand of the Emergency Department through a Health Services Center: A Marcus Welby Care Initiative

Abstract

The number of Emergency Department (ED) visits a hospital receives is an indicator of the difficulties patients face when trying to access the healthcare system. Currently, NMCP's ED visits are at an all-time high with patients treating the ED as a walk-in clinic. This paper documents NHCP's approach to improve access by managing its ED demand through the use of a Health Service Center (HSC) and increased primary care hours. The study found that the HSC had a positive impact on decreasing the amount of non-urgent, Prime patients utilizing the ED during working hours. The new services allow the ED staff to focus their resources on those with the greatest need, while directing non-urgent patients to a more appropriate place for care.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2006
Accession Number
ADA473562

Entities

People

  • Alexander Aldana

Organizations

  • Baylor University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Delivery Of Health Care
  • Health Care
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Medicine
  • Organizational Structure
  • Pain
  • Patient Care
  • Patient Care Management
  • Therapy

Fields of Study

  • Medicine
  • Political science

Readers

  • Medical or Health Care Field.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.