The impact of a temporary medical ward closure on emergency department and hospital service delivery outcomes

Journal article

Crilly, Julia, Keijzers, Gerben B., Krahn, Dirken, Steele, Michael Craig, Green, David and Freeman, Janeen. (2011). The impact of a temporary medical ward closure on emergency department and hospital service delivery outcomes. Quality Management in Health Care. 20(4), pp. 322 - 333. https://doi.org/10.1097/QMH.0b013e318231355a
AuthorsCrilly, Julia, Keijzers, Gerben B., Krahn, Dirken, Steele, Michael Craig, Green, David and Freeman, Janeen
Abstract

Objective: To describe the effect of a 3-week closure of a 28-bed medical ward on Emergency Department (ED) and hospital outcomes. Methods: This was a prospective comparative observational study of all ED attendances (visits; n = 11 383) made to a regional teaching hospital in Queensland, Australia, during a 9-week period (November 24, 2008–January 4, 2009). A 3-week period of ward closure was compared with equal time periods before and after. Hospital health information systems data were linked manually to describe and compare outcomes: median ED length of stay, access block, hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality. Results: Ward closure reduced hospital bed capacity by 5.9%. During ward closure there was a higher proportion of access block (38% vs 33% in both pre- and posttimes), longer wait time to see a doctor, and longer overall ED length of stay, compared with pre–ward closure time period. Conclusion: Temporarily closing a medical ward had a negative effect on some ED and hospital outcomes. When major refurbishments are required, alternative capacity measures need to be considered to minimize the impact on health service delivery and patient outcomes. Reducing elective surgery and opening replacement beds elsewhere in the hospital are possible solutions.

Keywordsaccess block; emergency department; health service accessibility; hospital occupancy; outcomes
Year2011
JournalQuality Management in Health Care
Journal citation20 (4), pp. 322 - 333
PublisherLippincott Williams & Wilkins
ISSN1063-8628
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1097/QMH.0b013e318231355a
Page range322 - 333
Research GroupSchool of Allied Health
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Controlled
Place of publicationUnited States of America
Permalink -

https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/87302/the-impact-of-a-temporary-medical-ward-closure-on-emergency-department-and-hospital-service-delivery-outcomes

Log in to edit

Restricted files

Publisher's version

  • 103
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 2
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month
These values are for the period from 19th October 2020, when this repository was created.

Export as

Related outputs

Injuries in New Zealand Army Recruits
Hall, N., Constantinou, M., Kuys, S., Beck, B., Brown, M., Steele, M. and Rousseau, J.. (2024). Injuries in New Zealand Army Recruits [PhD Thesis]. Australian Catholic University https://doi.org/10.26199/acu.911zy
Well-being, turnover intention, and stigma attitudes of mental health transition-to-practice nurses : A cross-sectional study
Foster, Kim Narelle, Steele, Michael Craig, Metcalfe, James, Toomey, Nigel and Alexander, Louise. (2024). Well-being, turnover intention, and stigma attitudes of mental health transition-to-practice nurses : A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. 33(2), pp. 409-419. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13246
Factors that influence development of speech pathology skills required for videofluoroscopic swallowing studies
Edwards, Ann, Holm, Alison, Carding, Paul, Steele, Michael, Froude, Elspeth, Burns, Clare and Cardell, Elizabeth. (2023). Factors that influence development of speech pathology skills required for videofluoroscopic swallowing studies. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders. 58(5), pp. 1645-1656. https://doi.org/10.1111/1460-6984.12892
High flow nasal cannula for respiratory support in term infants (Review)
Dopper, Alex, Steele, Michael, Bogossian, Fiona and Hough, Judith. (2023). High flow nasal cannula for respiratory support in term infants (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2023(8), p. Article CD011010. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011010.pub2
The journey to sustainable participation in physical activity for adolescents living with cerebral palsy
Kilgour, Gaela, Stott, Ngaire Susan, Steele, Michael, Adair, Brooke, Hogan, Amy and Imms, Christine. (2023). The journey to sustainable participation in physical activity for adolescents living with cerebral palsy. Children. 10(9), p. Article 1533. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10091533
Translation and piloting of the Chinese Mandarin version of an intensive care-specific pressure injury risk assessment tool (the COMHON Index)
Lovegrove, Josephine, Fulbrook, Paul, Miles, Sandra J., Steele, Michael, Liu, Xian-Liang, Zhang, Lin and Cobos Vargas, Angel. (2022). Translation and piloting of the Chinese Mandarin version of an intensive care-specific pressure injury risk assessment tool (the COMHON Index). International Journal of Nursing Sciences. 9(2), pp. 169-178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2022.03.003
Profiles of recruits entering army basic training in new zealand
Hall, Narelle, Constantinou, Maria, Brown, Mark, Beck, Belinda, Steele, Michael, Rousseau, Jacques and Kuys, Suzanne. (2022). Profiles of recruits entering army basic training in new zealand. Military Medicine. 188(7-8), p. 1895–1902. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usac090
The Neurological Hand Deformity Classification : Construct validity, test-retest, and inter-rater reliability
Garbellini, Simon, Randall, Melinda, Steele, Michael, Elliott, Catherine and Imms, Christine. (2022). The Neurological Hand Deformity Classification : Construct validity, test-retest, and inter-rater reliability. Journal of Hand Therapy. 35, pp. 581-589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2021.03.005
Effectiveness of interventions to prevent pressure injury in adults admitted to intensive care settings : A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Lovegrove, Josephine, Fulbrook, Paul, Miles, Sandra and Steele, Michael. (2022). Effectiveness of interventions to prevent pressure injury in adults admitted to intensive care settings : A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Australian Critical Care. 35(2), pp. 186-203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aucc.2021.04.007
Unpacking the application of Q methodology for use in occupational therapy research
Garbellini, Simon, Randall, Melinda, Steele, Michael, Elliott, Catherine and Imms, Christine. (2021). Unpacking the application of Q methodology for use in occupational therapy research. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy. 28(4), pp. 323-328. https://doi.org/10.1080/11038128.2019.1709542
Effectiveness of interventions to prevent pressure injury in adults admitted to acute hospital settings : A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Lovegrove, Josephine, Fulbrook, Paul, Miles, Sandra J. and Steele, Michael. (2021). Effectiveness of interventions to prevent pressure injury in adults admitted to acute hospital settings : A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 122, p. Article 104027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.104027
Do physical activity interventions influence subsequent attendance and involvement in physical activities for children with cerebral palsy : A systematic review
Kilgour, Gaela, Adair, Brooke, Stott, Ngaire Susan, Steele, Michael, Hogan, Amy and Imms, Christine. (2021). Do physical activity interventions influence subsequent attendance and involvement in physical activities for children with cerebral palsy : A systematic review. Disability and Rehabilitation. 44(9), pp. 1682-1698. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2021.1909151
Physiotherapy service provision in a specialist adult cystic fibrosis service : A pre-post design study with the inclusion of an allied health assistant
Hall, Kathleen, Maxwell, Lyndal, Cobb, Robyn, Steele, Michael, Chambers, Rebecca, Roll, Mark, Bell, Scott Cameron and Kuys, Suzanne. (2021). Physiotherapy service provision in a specialist adult cystic fibrosis service : A pre-post design study with the inclusion of an allied health assistant. Chronic Respiratory Disease. 18, pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1177/14799731211017895
Natural cause mortality of mental health consumers : A 10-year retrospective cohort study
Suggett, Joanne, Foster, Kim, Lakra, Vinay, Steele, Michael and Furness, Trentham. (2021). Natural cause mortality of mental health consumers : A 10-year retrospective cohort study. 30(2), pp. 390-400. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.12797
Elevated eosinophil levels observed in infantile hemangioma patients from Kaifeng, China
Xianglei Li, Chunyan Ma, Jiaoyang Xu, Biao Gao, Michael Steele and Adi Idris. (2019). Elevated eosinophil levels observed in infantile hemangioma patients from Kaifeng, China. F1000Research. 8(2111), pp. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.21608.1
Prescribing upper limb orthoses for children with cerebral palsy: a Q methodology study of occupational therapists’ decision making
Simon Garbellini, Melinda Randall, Michael Steele, Catherine Elliott and Christine Imms. (2019). Prescribing upper limb orthoses for children with cerebral palsy: a Q methodology study of occupational therapists’ decision making. Disability and Rehabilitation. 42(18), pp. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2019.1573931
Undergraduate nursing students’ stigma and recovery attitudes during mental health clinical placement: A pre/post-test survey study
Foster, Kim, Withers, Elaine, Blanco, Tony, Lupson, Christine, Steele, Michael, Giandinoto, Jo-Ann and Furness, Trentham. (2019). Undergraduate nursing students’ stigma and recovery attitudes during mental health clinical placement: A pre/post-test survey study. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. 28(5), pp. 1068 - 1080. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.12634
Simulation-based education improves student self-efficacy in physiotherapy assessment and management of paediatric patients
Hough, Judith, Levan, Daniel Anthony, Steele, Michael, Kelly, Kristine and Dalton, Megan. (2019). Simulation-based education improves student self-efficacy in physiotherapy assessment and management of paediatric patients. BMC Medical Education. 19(1), pp. 1 - 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-019-1894-2
Reliability of revised scoring methods for the Schenkenberg Line Bisection Test with adults following stroke: Preliminary findings
Stone, Andrew James, Cooke, Deirdre, Morton, Deborah and Steele, Michael. (2019). Reliability of revised scoring methods for the Schenkenberg Line Bisection Test with adults following stroke: Preliminary findings. British Journal of Occupational Therapy. 82(12), pp. 750 - 758. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308022619866377
Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in Kaifeng, China: A 5-year observation
Jinli Zhang, Chunyan Ma, Hang Li, Michael Steele and Adi Idris. (2018). Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in Kaifeng, China: A 5-year observation. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 46(4), pp. 430-433. https://doi.org/10.4014/mbl.1806.06010
Salivary testosterone as a potential indicator for risky behaviour associated with smoking-related peer pressure in adolescents
Idris, Adi, Ghazali, Nur B., Said, Nadzirah M., Steele, Michael, Koh, David and Tuah, Nik A.. (2018). Salivary testosterone as a potential indicator for risky behaviour associated with smoking-related peer pressure in adolescents. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health. 30(1), pp. 1 - 3. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijamh-2015-0125
A 10-year review of a vascular access service for patients receiving hemodialysis: Analysis of procedural modifications and service innovations
Lancashire, John F., Steele, Michael Craig, Swinbank, Amy, Du Toit, Dianne and Jackson, Mark J.. (2016). A 10-year review of a vascular access service for patients receiving hemodialysis: Analysis of procedural modifications and service innovations. JAVA. 21(2), pp. 93 - 102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.java.2016.03.003
Salivary leptin concentrations in Bruneian secondary school children
Idris, Adi, Khamis, Ahmed Gharib, Ghazali, Nur Basirah, Steele, Michael, Koh, David and Tuah, Nik Ani. (2016). Salivary leptin concentrations in Bruneian secondary school children. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 6(4), pp. 335 - 337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apjtb.2016.01.003
Comparative effects of 2 aqua exercise programs on physical function, balance, and perceived quality of life in older adults with osteoarthritis
Fisken, Alison L., Waters, Debra L., Hing, Wayne A., Steele, Michael Craig and Keogh, Justin W.. (2015). Comparative effects of 2 aqua exercise programs on physical function, balance, and perceived quality of life in older adults with osteoarthritis. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy. 38(1), pp. 17 - 27. https://doi.org/10.1519/JPT.0000000000000019
Unsteady natural convection and statistical analysis in a CNT-water filled cavity with non-isothermal heating
Rahman, Mahmudur M., Öztop, Hakan F., Steele, Michael Craig, Naim, Abdul Ghani, Al-Salem, Khaled and Ibrahim, Talaat A.. (2015). Unsteady natural convection and statistical analysis in a CNT-water filled cavity with non-isothermal heating. International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer. 64, pp. 50 - 60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2015.02.012
Can a barcode scanner for blood collection improve patient identification integrity in the emergency department? A prospective before-and-after study
Spain, David, Crilly, Julia, Pierce, John, Steele, Michael Craig, Scuffham, Paul and Keijzers, Gerben B.. (2015). Can a barcode scanner for blood collection improve patient identification integrity in the emergency department? A prospective before-and-after study. Emergency Medicine Australasia. 27(1), pp. 47 - 54. https://doi.org/10.1111/1742-6723.12334
Does a single dose of intravenous dexamethasone reduce Symptoms in Emergency department patients with low Back pain and RAdiculopathy (SEBRA)? A double-blind randomised controlled trial
Balakrishnamoorthy, Ravichandra, Horgan, Isabelle, Perez, Siegfried, Steele, Michael Craig and Keijzers, Gerben B.. (2015). Does a single dose of intravenous dexamethasone reduce Symptoms in Emergency department patients with low Back pain and RAdiculopathy (SEBRA)? A double-blind randomised controlled trial. Emergency Medicine Journal. 32(7), pp. 525 - 530. https://doi.org/10.1136/emermed-2013-203490
Shoulder pain in primary care - Part 2: Predictors of clinical outcome to 12 months
Laslett, Mark, Steele, Michael Craig, Hing, Wayne, McNair, Peter and Cadogan, Angela. (2015). Shoulder pain in primary care - Part 2: Predictors of clinical outcome to 12 months. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 47(1), pp. 66 - 71. https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-1885
Shoulder pain patients in primary care - Part 1: Clinical outcomes over 12 months following standardized diagnostic workup, corticosteroid injections, and community-based care
Laslett, Mark, Steele, Michael Craig, Hing, Wayne, McNair, Peter and Cadogan, Angela. (2014). Shoulder pain patients in primary care - Part 1: Clinical outcomes over 12 months following standardized diagnostic workup, corticosteroid injections, and community-based care. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 46(9), pp. 898 - 907. https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-1860
Use and validation of the balance outcome measure for elder rehabilitation in acute care
Kuys, Suzanne, Crouch, Tom, Dolecka, Urszula, Steele, Michael and Low Choy, Nancy. (2014). Use and validation of the balance outcome measure for elder rehabilitation in acute care. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy. 42(1), pp. 16 - 21.
The effects of multimodal exercise on cognitive and physical functioning and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in older women: a randomised controlled trial
Vaughan, Sue, Wallis, Marianne, Polit, Denise, Steele, Michael Craig, Shum, David and Morris, Norman. (2014). The effects of multimodal exercise on cognitive and physical functioning and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in older women: a randomised controlled trial. Age and Ageing. 43(5), pp. 623 - 629. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afu010
Perception and responses to different forms of aqua-based exercise among older adults with osteoarthritis
Fisken, Alison L., Waters, Debra L., Hing, Wayne A., Steele, Michael Craig and Keogh, Justin W.. (2014). Perception and responses to different forms of aqua-based exercise among older adults with osteoarthritis. International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education. 8(1), pp. 32 - 52. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijare.2013-0007
A prospective evaluation of missed injuries in trauma patients, before and after formalising the trauma tertiary survey
Keijzers, Gerben B., Campbell, Don, Hooper, Jeffrey, Bost, Nerolie, Crilly, Julia, Steele, Michael Craig, Del Mar, Chris and Geeraedts, Leo M.G.. (2014). A prospective evaluation of missed injuries in trauma patients, before and after formalising the trauma tertiary survey. World Journal of Surgery. 38(1), pp. 222 - 232. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-013-2226-z
Introduction of an acute surgical unit: Comparison of performance indicators and outcomes for operative management of acute appendicitis
Lancashire, John F., Steele, Michael Craig, Parker, D. and Puhalla, H.. (2014). Introduction of an acute surgical unit: Comparison of performance indicators and outcomes for operative management of acute appendicitis. World Journal of Surgery. 38(8), pp. 1947 - 1953. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-014-2497-z
The effectiveness of quarter turn from prone in maintaining respiratory function in premature infants
Montgomery, Karly, Low Choy, Nancy, Steele, Michael and Hough, Judith. (2014). The effectiveness of quarter turn from prone in maintaining respiratory function in premature infants. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. 50(12), pp. 972 - 977. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpc.12689
Crunch Time: How did the students perform?
Steele, Michael Craig and Sugden, Steve. (2013). Crunch Time: How did the students perform? International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology. 44(1), pp. 143 - 152. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2012.662302
A survey of resilience, burnout, and tolerance of uncertainty in Australian general practice registrars
Cooke, Georga P.E., Doust, Jenny A. and Steele, Michael C.. (2013). A survey of resilience, burnout, and tolerance of uncertainty in Australian general practice registrars. BMC Medical Education. 13(2), pp. 1 - 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6920-13-2
Seasonal variation in health care-associated bloodstream infection: Increase in the incidence of gram-negative bacteremia in nonhospitalized patients during summer
Alcorn, Kylie, Gerrard, John, Macbeth, Deborough and Steele, Michael Craig. (2013). Seasonal variation in health care-associated bloodstream infection: Increase in the incidence of gram-negative bacteremia in nonhospitalized patients during summer. American Journal of Infection Control. 41(12), pp. 1205 - 1208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2013.05.019
Intravenous 0.9% sodium chloride therapy does not reduce length of stay of alcohol-intoxicated patients in the emergency department: A randomised controlled trial
Perez, Siegfried R.S., Keijzers, Gerben B., Steele, Michael Craig, Byrnes, Joshua and Scuffham, Paul A.. (2013). Intravenous 0.9% sodium chloride therapy does not reduce length of stay of alcohol-intoxicated patients in the emergency department: A randomised controlled trial. EMA - Emergency Medicine Australasia. 25(6), pp. 527 - 534. https://doi.org/10.1111/1742-6723.12151
A comparison of the power of the discrete Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Chi-Square goodness-of-fit tests
Steele, Michael Craig, Smart, Neil A., Hurst, Cameron and Chaseling, Janet. (2012). A comparison of the power of the discrete Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Chi-Square goodness-of-fit tests. In K. Kumar and A. Chaturvedi (Ed.). International Conference on Recent Developments in Statistics, Econometrics and Forecasting, University of Allahabad, India, December 27-28, 2010. United States of America: Brown Walker Press. pp. 104 - 109
Reduction of post-surgical pericardial adhesions using a pig model
Alizzi, Ali M., Summers, Phillip, Boon, Virginia H., Tantiongco, John-Paul, Thompson, Teresa, Leslie, Belinda J., Williams, David, Steele, Michael Craig, Bidstrup, Benjamin P. and Diqer, Al-Mutazz A.. (2012). Reduction of post-surgical pericardial adhesions using a pig model. Heart, Lung and Circulation. 21(1), pp. 22 - 29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hlc.2011.10.002
A comparison of 16 weeks of continuous vs intermittent exercise training in chronic heart failure patients
Smart, Neil A. and Steele, Michael Craig. (2012). A comparison of 16 weeks of continuous vs intermittent exercise training in chronic heart failure patients. Congestive Heart Failure. 18(4), pp. 205 - 211. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-7133.2011.00274.x
Prognostic value of semi-quantitative bacteruria counts in the diagnosis of group B streptococcus urinary tract infection: A 4-year retrospective study in adult patients
Tan, Chee K., Ulett, Kimberly B., Steele, Michael C., Benjamin, William H. and Ulett, Glen C.. (2012). Prognostic value of semi-quantitative bacteruria counts in the diagnosis of group B streptococcus urinary tract infection: A 4-year retrospective study in adult patients. BMC Infectious Diseases. 12(273), pp. 1 - 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-12-273
Using community surveillance data to differentiate between emerging and endemic amphibian diseases
Young, Sam, Skerratt, Lee F., Mendez, Diana, Speare, Rick, Berger, Lee and Steele, Michael Craig. (2012). Using community surveillance data to differentiate between emerging and endemic amphibian diseases. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. 98(1), pp. 1 - 10. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao02416
The effect of physical training on systemic proinflammatory cytokine expression in heart failure patients: A systematic review
Smart, Neil A. and Steele, Michael Craig. (2011). The effect of physical training on systemic proinflammatory cytokine expression in heart failure patients: A systematic review. Congestive Heart Failure. 17(3), pp. 110 - 114. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-7133.2011.00217.x
The immediate effect of unilateral lumbar Z-joint mobilisation on posterior chain neurodynamics :A randomised controlled study
Szlezak, Adam, Georgilopoulos, Peter, Bullock-Saxton, Joanne and Steele, Michael. (2011). The immediate effect of unilateral lumbar Z-joint mobilisation on posterior chain neurodynamics :A randomised controlled study. Manual Therapy. 16, pp. 609 - 613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2011.06.004
Exercise training in haemodialysis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Smart, Neil and Steele, Michael Craig. (2011). Exercise training in haemodialysis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nephrology. 16(7), pp. 626 - 632. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1797.2011.01471.x
Tertiary survey performance in a regional trauma hospital without a dedicated trauma service
Keijzers, Gerben B., Campbell, Don, Hooper, Jeffrey, Bost, Nerolie, Crilly, Julia, Steele, Michael Craig, Eddington, Blake and Geeraedts, Leo M.G.. (2011). Tertiary survey performance in a regional trauma hospital without a dedicated trauma service. World Journal of Surgery. 35(10), pp. 2341 - 2347. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-011-1231-3
Evaluating the statistical power of goodness-of-fit tests for health and medicine survey data
Steele, M., Smart, N., Hurst, C. and Chaseling, J.. (2009). Evaluating the statistical power of goodness-of-fit tests for health and medicine survey data. In R.S. Anderssen, R.D. Braddock and L.T.H. Newham (Ed.). The 18th World IMACS Congress and MODSIM09 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation. United States of America: Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand and International Association for Mathematics and Computers in Simulation, July 2009. pp. 192 - 196