What does the term “ED throughput” refer to?

The term "ED throughput" specifically refers to the time it takes for a patient to move through the entire Emergency Department process, from arrival to discharge or admission. This includes various stages such as registration, triage, evaluation, treatment, and any necessary follow-up actions. Efficient throughput is crucial in emergency care, as it impacts patient outcomes, satisfaction, and the overall functioning of the department. Improving throughput can lead to quicker care delivery and better resource management, which are essential for handling high volumes of patients effectively in an emergency setting.

While patient visits, staff numbers, and paperwork can all influence operations within the department, they do not directly define the concept of throughput, which is fundamentally about the flow and timing of patient care.