Academic emergency medicine : official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
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To demonstrate how continuous quality improvement (CQI) can identify rational and effective means to reduce length of stay for minor illness/injury in an ED. ⋯ The formal application of CQI techniques in the ED can change patient flow and reduce LOS for FT patients.
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To determine the ability to complete follow-up home telephone calls to ED patients. ⋯ Almost half of the patients who present to the ED and supply home telephone numbers give telephone numbers at which they cannot be reached in follow-up. Using telephone follow-up alone to reach patients seen in the ED may be an unreliable method of communication.