An Assessment of the Emergency Department

3/31/99

Sara Dawson

Brian Decker

Samira Madhany

Project Advisor: Dr. Doris QuinnDepartment of Quality Education and Assessment

Is the VUMC Emergency Department Efficient?

Our Goal:• To provide a database and a simple, convenient interface

for data collection giving information of the processes in the VUMC Emergency Department.

• To create an Excel file that will automatically calculate and chart various wait times upon data entry.

Who Are We Working With?

• Dr. Doris Quinn - Project Advisor (Department of Quality

Education and Assessment)

• Jane Crofut, RN - ED Administration• Tim LeMay, ART - ED Administration (Data Consultant)

• Jim Bihun - ED Administrative Officer

• Jesse Loflin - Network Specialist

• Fahd Aldohish - EE Graduate Student

…What Have We Done?

• Created a flowchart of a general patient flow process in the ED. This flowchart was approved by the ED Administration.

• Met with Fahd Aldohish and provided insight into data collection process and resource concerns. Wrote summary on the aforementioned in cooperation with his ED patient flow simulation model.

• Created an Excel spreadsheet that will automatically calculate patient wait times. These calculations will be used to dynamically create representative charts.

…What Have We Done?

• Jane Crofut provided us with an additional task of creating a database that will store useful ED process data, as collected from the patient charts.

• Decided to use Allaire’s Cold Fusion 4.0 to provide the data entry interface and produce reports and charts.

• Attempted to interview Dr. Stead (Director of Informatics Center) and Dr. Miller (Chair of Biomedical Informatics). Was unsuccessful in attaining a response from either, but still awaiting any response.

…What Have We Done?

• Spoke with Dr. James Crowe (Department of Pediatrics) about obtaining possible server space on NT Server with CF 4.0 installed and behind hospital firewall.

• Designed database in MS Access 97.

• Created login, administrator editing, and data entry forms with CFML. They work!

Patient Flow for VUMC ED

Excel Spreadsheet Example

CFML Data Entry Example

CFML Data Entry Example

What are we working on right now?

• Continuing the charting capabilities of the Excel spreadsheet.

• Producing reports and charts on wait times based on queries regarding wait times, day, time of day, accuity, lab work, or admission/discharge.

• Contacting Stead, Miller, or Patel with regards to our project, examples, and security constraints.

• Poster BABY!!!!

Excel Chart Examples

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CFML Report Example

What Do We Hope to Accomplish in the Future?

• Present Excel spreadsheet to ED Administration.• Present CF created data application to ED

Administration.• Have real data entered by student workers on both

applications. Tim LeMay suggested this!• Be available for any questions or concerns regarding

either application.• Pursue further the possibilities of sharing the NT Server

with Cold Fusion that Dr. Crowe is establishing.

For further information...

• Project Homepage - http://vubme.vuse.vanderbilt.edu/specialed/

• VUMC ED Data Analysis Website (Ours)- http://mot.vuse.vanderbilt.edu

/274/bears/vandyframes.cfm