Promoting value-based care in EDs (PROV-ED)

Health services, and emergency departments (EDs) in particular, are facing unprecedented demand for services against a backdrop of finite resources. Value-based care is increasingly important, with overuse of low-value care and underuse of high-value care contributing to unnecessary costs and poor health outcomes. To provide efficient and safe healthcare, clinicians must consider the benefits and risks of investigations and treatments, and be aware of options and methods to changing care (1).

Value-based healthcare is not only about costs. The quality of care provided to patients can be enhanced with new developments in clinical care. Improving healthcare provision also reduces overcrowding and improves staff efficiency (reduced stress and cognitive load, improved morale and satisfaction), patient satisfaction, and importantly patient safety (2).

Frontline healthcare workers are championing this cause, developing and implementing valuable, well-considered, innovative initiatives to improve emergency care. Many initiatives are most likely scalable, however there are no clear pathways, and many barriers to dissemination. PROV-ED has fostered a culture of innovation, improvement, and capacity building, and promoted collaboration both within Queensland Health and with external stakeholders. 

Outcomes to date demonstrate that PROV-ED has contributed to efficiency increases and cost savings, improved patient safety, clinician empowerment (e.g. resources to decrease cognitive load, work to scope of practice), and staff satisfaction, all of which contribute to improved health service delivery and patient care in Queensland EDs.