Optimization of Patient Allocation in the Emergency Department: An Evaluation of Bed Admissions and Fast-Track Implementation

Authors

  • Ana Carolina Rivera-Martínez Ponce Health Sciences University, School of Medicine; Centro Médico Episcopal San Lucas, Emergency Department Author
  • Juan Mercado-Muñoz Ponce Health Sciences University, School of Medicine; Centro Médico Episcopal San Lucas, Emergency Department Author
  • Dr. Kevin Laureano Centro Médico Episcopal San Lucas, Emergency Department Author
  • Dr. Eddie Romero Centro Médico Episcopal San Lucas, Emergency Department Author
  • Leslie N. Padilla Vásquez Ponce Health Sciences University, School of Medicine; Centro Médico Episcopal San Lucas, Emergency Department Author
  • Dr. Carlos García Gubern Centro Médico Episcopal San Lucas, Emergency Department Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71332/pwv4xs05

Abstract

ED boarding and overcrowding are associated with adverse patient outcomes and place significant strain on physicians, healthcare staff, and hospital systems. 

At Centro Médico Episcopal San Lucas (CMESL), all patients arriving by EMS are assigned to high-acuity beds regardless of complaint severity, a practice that may exacerbate overcrowding and delay care for truly high-acuity patients. 

Identifying the factors contributing to ED overcrowding is essential for guiding quality improvement initiatives aimed at optimizing patient flow, resource allocation, and overall emergency care delivery.

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Published

2025-12-22

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2025): Special Edition: Medical Student Summer Research Expo

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Ana Carolina Rivera-Martínez, Juan Mercado-Muñoz, Dr. Kevin Laureano, Dr. Eddie Romero, Leslie N. Padilla Vásquez, Dr. Carlos García Gubern (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors retain copyright of their articles. All works are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are properly cited.