Reducing Emergency Department Wait Times

Dr. Kerstin de Wit leads a transformative research program aimed at improving diagnostic accuracy and efficiency in emergency departments (EDs), where conditions like pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lung) and traumatic intracranial bleeding (brain bleeding) pose significant challenges. Her research directly addresses the inefficiencies in current ED practices, where less than 5 per cent of patients tested for these critical conditions are ultimately diagnosed with them.

Dr. de Wit's research has led to the development of the Adjust-Unlikely protocol for pulmonary embolism testing, simplifying the diagnostic process and avoiding the need for unnecessary and expensive CT scans in at least 50% of cases. This protocol not only improves patient care by minimizing exposure to radiation but also alleviates ED crowding by optimizing resource utilization. Additionally, her Falls Decision Rule is a groundbreaking tool that aids in determining when brain imaging is necessary for older adults who have fallen, successfully avoiding unnecessary CT scans in 20 per cent of cases. These innovations streamline clinical practices, enhance patient outcomes, and improve the overall efficiency of emergency care. As the Canada Research Chair in Emergency Venous Thromboembolism, Dr. de Wit’s research is committed to validating these protocols for broader application across Canadian EDs, with an emphasis on maintaining safety and diagnostic accuracy while improving operational efficiency. Her work represents a critical integration of clinical research with frontline emergency care, promising to significantly advance the fields of emergency medicine and thrombosis management.