RESHAP-ED trialled new ways to reduce crowding across busy emergency departments (EDs), by testing whether physiotherapists could provide care for people with muscle, joint and bone conditions in the ED, while also ensuring safe and effective treatment.
RESHAP-ED included 1,475 patients across five EDs in NSW. Patients received care from a physiotherapist or conventional doctor- or nurse-led care. Patients treated by physiotherapists spent an average of 2.4 hours in the ED compared with 3.4 hours for those receiving standard care. They were seen and treated sooner, were three times more likely to receive care within recommended triage timeframes, and 90% went home within four hours. Patients were more satisfied with their care, while pain levels, quality of life and safety outcomes were similar between both groups. The model also reduced healthcare costs by $35 per patient.
If scaled across NSW, this approach could save an estimated $19 million each year and free up more than 540,000 hours in EDs, while maintaining safe, high-quality patient care.
