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Objectives: To describe the relationship between waiting time and patient satisfaction, and to determine predictors of overall care rating in an emergency department (ED) fast-track setting., Methods: A convenience sample of patients triaged to a fast-track unit were surveyed. Patient satisfaction was scored using a validated survey instrument, as well as a single overall care rating (poor to excellent). Median satisfaction scores were compared between each incremental hour of waiting time. Bivariate analysis was conducted between those who waited 1 h or less, and those who waited longer. Ordered logistic regression was used to determine predictors of improved overall care rating., Results: 236 patients completed surveys (response rate of 74%). Of these, 84% rated their care as either very good or excellent. There was a linear decrease in median satisfaction scores for each incremental hour of waiting time associated with half the odds of higher overall care rating after adjusting for presenting problem type, triage category, and treating clinician type (OR 0.53 95% CI 0.37 to 0.75 p<0.001). English language (OR 2.43 95% CI 1.33 to 4.42 p=0.004) and initial consultation by a nurse practitioner (NP) (OR 1.81 95% CI 1.03 to 3.31 p=0.038) were also found to be significant predictors of improved overall care rating., Conclusions: Waiting time was found to be highly predictive of patient satisfaction in an emergency fast-track unit with English language and NPs also associated with improved overall care rating. Future measures to improve patient satisfaction in fast-track units should focus on these factors.

Aims: This paper is a report of a study of quality of care delivered by an emergency department fast track unit where both doctors and an emergency nurse practitioner treated patients., Background: Fast track units were established in Australian emergency departments to meet the needs of low complexity emergency department patients. Few studies have reported on the overall quality of care delivered by these units., Methods: A convenience sample of adult patients triaged to an Australian emergency department fast track unit between April 2010 and April 2011 were randomised to care by a doctor or an emergency nurse practitioner. Quality of care was measured using patient satisfaction, follow up health status using Short Form 12 and adverse event rate (missed fractures or unplanned representations)., Results: A total of 320 patients were enrolled into the study. Of the 236 patients who submitted completed survey forms, median satisfaction scores were 22 out of 25 with 84% of patients rating care as "excellent" or "very good". At two week follow up, health status score was comparable to normal healthy populations. When comparing study groups, patient satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the ENP group compared to DR group., Conclusions: Patients received high quality of care in this fast track unit where both nurse practitioner and doctors treated patients. Emergency nurse practitioners were associated with higher patient satisfaction., (Copyright © 2012 College of Emergency Nursing Australasia Ltd. All rights reserved.)