The 'four-hour target' and the impact on Australian metropolitan acute surgical services

Abstract

Background: The National Emergency Access Targets (NEAT), introduced in 2012, guides the clearance of emergency department (ED) presentations within 4h of initial presentation. We aim to assess the impact of NEAT on acute surgical services at a large metropolitan centre. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed and data were collected from electronic patient management systems. The control group was represented by ED presentations between June and September 2011, 1 year prior to the introduction of NEAT. The two study groups consisted of ED presentations between June and September 2012 and 2013 respectively. Outcome measures included time to appendicectomy and cholecystectomy, inp..