Testing the ED Capacity Management Guidance document within Hairmyres Hospital

In July 2015 NHS Lanarkshire offered to test the implementation of the Emergency Department (ED) Capacity Management Guidance within Hairmyres Hospital. This case study outlines the process and methodology that NHS Lanarkshire adopted to test the ED Capa


Our aim

Our aim is to ensure the safety of patients attending ED by the elimination of crowding and ensure there are steps in place to avoid having to enact Full Capacity Protocol ( FCP). This is being achieved through a comprehensive inter-disciplinary improvement plan that spans across the continuum of care. Full Capacity Protocol is considered a 'never' event and is indicative of a system failure. Testing the ED Capacity Management Guidance has provided us with an opportunity to develop structured processes aligned to on going improvement work to avoid crowding, as well as consider contingency plans in the event of crowding to ensure patients are safe at all times.

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