Time from attendance to discharge (minutes) for (1) an injury completely treated by the ED and (2) injuries eligible for the new process
| Treatment time (mean, min) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before | After | Mean difference (min, 95% CI) | p Value | |
| (1) ED managed injury (n=4060) | ||||
| Ankle sprain (n=4060) | 45.0 | 45.1 | 0.1 (−1.5 to 1.8) | 0.888 |
| (2) Managed by new process (combined ED discharge and VFC referral) (n=2154) | ||||
| 5th Metacarpal (n=566) | 51.6 | 54.3 | 2.7 (−2.6 to 8.1) | 0.316 |
| Radial head (n=273) | 52.2 | 52.4 | 0.2 (−6.0 to 6.5) | 0.948 |
| Metatarsal (n=687) | 117 | 119 | 2.0 (−5.1 to 9.1) | 0.571 |
| Ankle fracture (n=539)*† | 71.3 | 65.2 | −6.1 (−12.1 to −0.1) | 0.046 |
| Radial styloid (n=89)* | 62.8 | 49.6 | −13.2 (−25.3 to −1.2) | 0.032 |
ED discharge and VFC referrals are analysed together as it was not always possible to determine the ultimate destination of a discharged patient.
*Injuries that were treated with removable splints after the process change.
†Ankle fractures were subsequently reviewed at the virtual fracture clinic.