PO-HUA WANG, Attending Physician, Dept. of Emergency Medicine  

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency department (ED) overcrowding has remained a persistent and complex challenge. The surge in patient volume and acuity has placed frontline nursing staff under sustained and significant pressure. However, even before engaging in direct patient care, nurses are often required to arrive earlier than their scheduled shift to complete non-clinical tasks, such as equipment checks and shift preparation. These additional responsibilities not only prolong working hours but also increase the physical and mental burden, ultimately reducing the time and energy available for direct patient care.
Equipment checking is the process by which nurses individually verify the location and functionality of medical devices and report their status. Given the large physical space and complex layout of the ED, nurses frequently need to move between multiple zones to locate equipment, making the process time-consuming and labor-intensive. To address this operational inefficiency, our team implemented a real-time equipment tracking system. Frequently used devices were equipped with tracking tags, and a comprehensive detection network was installed throughout the ED, enabling equipment locations to be visualized in real time.
     With this system’s support, nurses can now complete equipment checks by simply confirming device availability and status on a centralized digital platform, greatly simplifying the workflow. Following implementation, the average time required for a single equipment check decreased significantly from 6 minutes and 29 seconds to 2 minutes and 51 seconds. When equipment is not found in its designated location, the system can display its last recorded position, further improving search efficiency and reducing unnecessary movement.
In addition to time savings, the system has generated several secondary benefits. Based on labor cost estimates, approximately NTD 1,209 can be saved per day. The reduced need for early arrival has helped alleviate workload, while satisfaction with the equipment-checking process increased from 76% to 90%. Furthermore, the system integrates monthly inventory management functions, enabling nursing staff, cleaning personnel, and administrators to collaborate on a single platform. This not only enhances inventory efficiency but also streamlines interdisciplinary communication.
     The ED is a fast-paced, unpredictable environment characterized by rapid patient turnover and sudden changes in clinical conditions. Through the introduction of smart healthcare technology, the non-clinical workload has been effectively reduced, operational efficiency has improved, and staff satisfaction has been enhanced. Most importantly, nurses can dedicate more time and attention to patient care, ultimately improving healthcare quality and patient safety.