System Description

Mister Ed, short for Medical Information System to Enhance Resources for Emergency Departments, is designed to make emergency room visits more manageable and to help reduce overcrowding. The system shows patients how busy local emergency departments (EDs) are, helping them choose the one with the shortest wait time. Additionally, it assists patients in deciding whether an ED visit is necessary, as many minor issues can often be handled by a family doctor or with over-the-counter medication.

Mister Ed has a virtual triage tool that allows patients to perform an online assessment of their symptoms. Based on the results, the system suggests the best course of action, whether that’s visiting the emergency department, seeing a family doctor, or using over-the-counter treatments. This streamlines workflows by reducing unnecessary ED visits, allowing emergency staff to focus on more critical cases. For patients who still need in-person care, Mister Ed lets them wait at home after registering until they are notified that the ED is ready, helping to minimize time spent in crowded waiting rooms.

The system involves key actors like patients, receptionists, nurses, doctors, and pharmacists, each playing an essential role in ensuring Mister Ed operates efficiently and effectively for both patients and medical staff. Their collaboration helps streamline the process and improve the overall experience.

Key Features of Mister Ed

1. Real-Time ED Status:

   • Mister Ed displays current wait times across local emergency departments. Patients can check which ED has the shortest wait time, helping them make informed decisions about where to seek care.
   • This feature helps balance patient load across multiple EDs, potentially reducing wait times and overcrowding.

2. Virtual Triage Tool:

   • The virtual triage tool is designed to allow patients to assess their symptoms online. By answering a series of questions, patients receive recommendations on the best course of action—whether they should visit the ED, see a family doctor, or use over-the-counter treatment.
   • The tool can reduce unnecessary ED visits by directing patients with minor ailments toward alternative care options.

3. Remote Registration and Waiting:

   • Patients can register remotely for an ED visit and, if appropriate, wait at home rather than in a crowded waiting room. Mister Ed notifies them when the ED is ready to see them, enhancing patient comfort and minimizing exposure to potentially contagious environments.

Key Actors and Their Roles

1. Patient

• Overview: Patients are the main users of Mister Ed, relying on its functionalities to make informed healthcare choices.
• Interactions:
  • Check ED Wait Times: Access real-time data on ED wait times to decide where to seek care.
  • Use Virtual Triage Tool: Complete an online symptom assessment to receive a recommended course of action.
  • Register for ED Visit: Register remotely for an ED visit and wait at home, receiving notifications when it’s their turn to come in.
• Benefits: Patients benefit by avoiding unnecessary ED visits, reducing wait times, and minimizing exposure in crowded waiting areas.

2. Receptionist

• Overview: Receptionists manage patient registrations, ensure accurate information is in the system, and coordinate communication with patients regarding their ED visits.
• Interactions:
  • Verify Patient Registrations: Check registration details to ensure patients are eligible for remote waiting.
  • Notify Patients: Send notifications to patients when the ED is ready to see them, streamlining patient flow and minimizing overcrowded waiting rooms.
• Benefits: Receptionists can better manage the intake process and coordinate with patients remotely, improving overall ED efficiency.

3. Nurse

• Overview: Nurses review the virtual triage assessments, provide advice on treatment options for minor conditions, and prioritize cases that require immediate attention.
• Interactions:
  • Review Triage Results: Assess the virtual triage outcomes and prioritize critical cases for ED attention.
  • Provide Advice for Minor Symptoms: Recommend home treatments or alternatives, such as over-the-counter medications, for minor symptoms that do not require ED attention.
  • Escalate Severe Cases: If the triage results indicate a serious condition, nurses can prompt the patient to proceed to the ED for further care.
• Benefits: Nurses can efficiently allocate resources by focusing on critical cases and advising less severe cases to pursue other care options, contributing to a reduction in ED congestion.

4. Doctor

• Overview: Doctors play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating cases that require medical intervention. They review flagged cases, consult with patients, and prescribe necessary medications.
• Interactions:
  • Review Patient Cases: Access patient cases that need medical attention, especially those highlighted as high priority by the triage tool.
  • Conduct Consultations: Offer remote or in-person consultations to diagnose conditions and recommend treatment.
  • Prescribe Medication: When necessary, doctors can prescribe medications for patient treatment, which are then filled by the pharmacist.
• Benefits: Doctors can focus on critical patients and manage consultations efficiently, leveraging the triage results to prioritize their workflow.

5. Pharmacist

• Overview: Pharmacists are responsible for processing prescriptions, managing medication inventory, and providing patients with the necessary medications.
• Interactions:
  • Process Prescriptions: Receive, review, and prepare prescriptions issued by doctors for patient treatment.
  • Manage Inventory: Track inventory levels of medications to ensure availability and prevent shortages.
  • Dispense Medication to Patients: Provide patients with their prescribed medications and offer guidance on correct usage.
• Benefits: Pharmacists can effectively fulfill medication needs while monitoring stock, ensuring that critical treatments are available when needed.