Your ED Overcrowding is Costing Stroke Patients Brain Tissue

1.9 million neurons, 14 billion synapses, and 7.5 miles of myelinated fibers — this is what a brain experiencing an acute stroke loses every MINUTE that passes without treatment. Even more compelling, the brain ages 3.6 YEARS with every hour that a stroke goes untreated. It doesn’t require a medical degree to understand why reducing the treatment times of stroke patients is a vital priority for the healthcare community.

A recent study published in the Stroke Journal of the American Heart Association identified one major hurdle to decreasing treatment times for this patient population. This 1-year investigation found that overcrowding in the Emergency Department (ED) adversely affects the time it takes to perform imaging of the brain — a key component in determining treatment for stroke patients.

In order to better serve this population and ultimately ALL patients, we must address the throughput epidemic that is negatively affecting EDs nationwide. Visit the resources below for strategies to alleviate ED overcrowding in your healthcare community:

• Ten Solutions for Emergency Department Overcrowding
• Check out this Colorado Hospital’s 6 keys for success in reducing emergency department overcrowding. 
• Learn how The Patient Flow Committee at this Southern California hospital reduced their ED throughput times by 100 minutes.
• Not a healthcare provider but want to contribute to the solution? Check out this article to determine which resource (Emergency Department vs. Urgent Care) is most appropriate for treating your illness, and spread the word!