Quality and Outcomes Reports - Emergency Medicine
Emergency Department Volume
Why we measure it - Research shows that emergency departments and hospitals that treat a large number of patients tend to provide better care and have improved outcomes for treatments and procedures.
What this means - Visit volumes have remained steady over the past four years with an increase in 2009 due to H1N1 volume.
About the data - The graph shows the number of visits to the Emergency Department from 2008-2011.
Related dimensions of care:
What we're doing to provide the best care:
- We redesigned our Emergency Department to improve patient flow and care for our patients.
- Emergency Medicine uses the Lean system to improve overall patient and family experience in the clinic. Lean is an internationally recognized tool that helps us run more efficiently. It also allows our health care providers to focus on caring for patients.
- Families traveling from long distances are encouraged to use our Family Accommodations Program to make travel arrangements and coordinate appointments. Children's Hospital has partnered with non-profit organizations like Ronald McDonald House and Kathy's House to offer comfortable, "home away from home" accommodations. Local hotel chains on our referral list also offer discounts for patient families.
Patients and families:
- Bring a full list of your child's medicines. Be sure to include over-the-counter medicines such as vitamins and supplements.
- Children should not eat or drink anything (including water) if you suspect they have a deep cut or broken bone. This is because they may need surgery.
- Have your insurance card and paperwork available. We may need to gather relevant information from you before seeing the doctor.
- Bring the name, address, phone and fax numbers of your child's primary care and/or referring doctor so we can update him or her on your child's care.
- Ask questions if you don't understand the plan of care or if you are not sure how to care for your child at home.
Referring physicians:
- Referring physicians can access our specialists for consultation or transport 24 hours a day. Call our physician referral line at (800) 266-0366.
- Health care providers from outside of our southeastern Wisconsin service area are encouraged to use our web-based
e-Consult service. This service is available for non-urgent patient cases only and gives providers access to our specialists to review patient cases, obtain medical advice or second opinions, and receive care recommendations for rare symptoms and illnesses.
e-Consult is not to be used by the general public, parents/guardians or families. - Care guidelines for medical professionals
- Educational materials
- Pocket Directory
If you have questions about this information, email us or call (414) 266-6556.