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.

摘要

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.