Systems •Jennifer L.
Barton
•NUR 562: Leadership and Management within Complex Healthcare Systems
Challenge: ER •Dr. Valerie DeVaughn
Avoidable Use •February 9th, 2025
Introduction
• What are the appropriate use of
healthcare resources?
• Issue of ER avoidable use
• Healthcare delivery system
impact
• Factors driving misuse
• Strategies to mitigate
ER Avoidable
Use
• A growing concern
• What does is stem from?
• How do we formulate and
effective solution?
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
ER Avoidable Use –
Impact on Healthcare
Systems
• Extensive repercussion
• Impaction of both healthcare systems
and patient outcomes
• Longer wait times, patient
dissatisfaction, and complications in the
delivery of care
ER Avoidable
Use – Impact on
Individual
Patients
• Limited Access to Primary Care
• Lack of Health Literacy
• Insufficient Mental Health
Resources
Underlying
Cause – Lack
of Access
• Implementation of community-
based health clinics
• Extended clinic hours
• Preventative services
• Integrated resources
Resources
Necessary for
Operationalizati
on
• Financial investment and grants
• Partnerships with local
healthcare organizations
• Staffing with diverse healthcare
professionals
• Community outreach and
educational programs
Case Studies
of Successful
Interventions
• Community Health Workers in
Urban Areas
• Telehealth Services
• Integrated Mental Health
Services
Proposed Solution – Patient Access
When MD is Unavailable
• Emergency triage process – to
evaluate appropriateness
• Patient referred to MD or
immediate care – if inappropriate
for emergency services
• PCP, or physician partners, to keep
open slots in schedule for these
patients to be seen same or next
day
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
• Impact of health policy changes on ER utilization
Future Directions • Cost-benefit analysis of community health clinics
for Research • Evaluation of health literacy programs on ER visit rates
Conclusion
• Misuse of healthcare resources through ER
avoidable use has significant implications
• Successful implementation is key
References
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