Quality and Outcomes Reports - Emergency Medicine
Average Length of Stay
Why we measure it - We realize the importance of not having a child stay in the hospital any longer than necessary. The average time a child is in the Emergency Department depends on many factors including how serious the illness or injury is.
What this means - Children's Hospital of Wisconsin keeps the length of stay in the Emergency Department low.
About the data - The graph shows the average number of hours a child stays in the Emergency Department before being sent home or admitted to the hospital.
Related dimensions of care:
What we're doing to provide the best care:
- Doctors and nurses have worked together to develop high-quality care pathways for common problems in the Emergency Department. These pathways are developed by looking at the latest evidence for care and helps us as we are trying to reduce time spent in the hospital.
- We place our patients into open rooms whenever we can to help shorten the length of time in the Emergency Department and to make sure our patients and families are as comfortable as possible.
- Our computer-based system safely notifies nursing staff, lab, and X-ray technicians that treatments, tests and results are ready for each child. This helps our entire team to work together for the best and safest care for all of our 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.