The study received ethical review exemption from the HHS HREC (EX/2023/QMS/97813)
The authors declare no funding or conflict of interest.
Abstract
Objective
There is a deficit in the literature regarding trauma bay and resuscitation bay occupancy, particularly in Australia. This project aimed to evaluate the occupancy rates of the resuscitation bays within a major metropolitan hospital.
Methods
Retrospective cohort resuscitation bay occupancy data between 1-07-2022 and 30-06-2023 were analysed. In addition, one week of security camera footage in the resuscitation zone was analysed and compared to occupancy data from the same duration (24-09-2023 to 30-09-2023).
Results
Over the year there were 7741 admissions to the five bays, with an occupancy of 63.30% of the time and mean duration per patient stay of 3:35 (± 3:07; hh:mm). There was a wide variation in duration between sub-types of resuscitation bays. Video analysis of 22 occasions of stay found an observed duration of 2:09 (±1:56; hh:mm) compared to the record-based duration of 2:08 (±1:51; hh:mm)
Conclusions
The occupancy rate demonstrates that resuscitation bays are often used, and demarcation exists in sub-groups. Whilst policy documents outline resuscitation bay organisation, this quantitative examination gives a real-world basis from which to evaluate these polices. Additionally, the validation of recorded data through video analysis at this site supports the reliability and accuracy of this data form, which could guide future larger studies. The data analysis allows future optimisation of the resuscitation bays and emergency department operation.