Long Wait Times at Hospitals in Jamaica: A Potential Risk to Patient Safety

Abstract

Long wait time in public emergency rooms continues to be a major challenge in the Jamaican healthcare system. The aim of the study is to investigate the risk management strategies implemented by other nations in maintaining patient safety. The research method is a descriptive analytic study using literature review design to examine current and historical data to identify solutions to the long wait time at hospitals in Jamaica. The results revealed that adequate use and evaluation of risk management strategies, continuous upgrading of national emergency care health policy, improving triage systems, decreasing overcrowding and proper use of observation units in the ER, and maximizing the use of current technology to improve patient care do decrease the threat to patient safety. In conclusion, implementation of the risk management approach developed in this study can assist in maintaining patient safety by decreasing long wait time in public hospitals across the globe.