The Effect of a Clinical Practice Guideline for Acute Pelvic Pain on Length of Stay in the Emergency Department.

Abstract

Length of stay (LOS) is a key measure of emergency department (ED) efficiency and a marker of overcrowding. The use of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) has been shown to decrease the time spent in the ED. The objective of this study was to determine whether the utilization of a CPG for evaluation of acute pelvic pain in the ED would reduce patient LOS. This before-and-after study was conducted at a large urban Level II ED over the course of 2 years. A retrospective review of 134 electronic patient records: 67 charts prior to protocol implementation; 67 after implementation of a CPG for the evaluation of acute pelvic pain. Length of stay was based on the time from triage to discharge. The before-and-after protocol groups were compared using an independent-samples t test. Length of stay was actually increased in the protocol group (n = 67, M = 5:16, SD = 4:14 [hr:min]; p = 0.092). The use of diagnostic imaging was associated with longer LOS, varying with the specific imaging performed. Because of financial restructuring, the radiology unit reduced the availability of in-house sonography to 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, which also possibly affected the LOS. Of significance was the willingness of the health care providers to utilize the CPG (86%). Time of day, availability of in-house ultrasound, and individual provider judgment influence ED LOS and subsequent imaging performed. Future research is necessary to determine how these and other factors can be incorporated into a model for predicting LOS, reducing provider disparities, and ensuring patient safety.