ABSTRACT
The ¤nal interval within the ED, the disposition-to-departure, presents special challenges with respect to improving ±ow. Although dif¤cult to improve, it is one of the most important determinants of ED performance. Why is it so dif¤cult? Because it involves ¤xing hospital-wide ±ow. It involves interacting in a meaningful way with staff and processes on the inpatient side, working together to improve ±ow throughout the hospital. It means challenging “the way we’ve always done it” and getting buy-in from the top down so that the hospital is vested in ED performance (Figure 13.1).
