USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Emergency Department
Glendale, California
USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Emergency Department
Ambulance patient offload time is a key metric in emergency care, reflecting how quickly patients are transferred from EMS to hospital staff. Prolonged APOT impacts patient outcomes, ED flow and community EMS availability. Recognizing this, the USC Verdugo Hills Hospital emergency department team launched targeted interventions to streamline the offload process and
improve efficiency.
improve efficiency.
A “Rapid Offload” protocol was implemented to empower triage staff to make immediate placement decisions and use hallway beds or chairs for lower-acuity patients. A real-time APOT dashboard was introduced to monitor trends, hold teams accountable and guide staffing adjustments. During peak hours, an ED tech or paramedic was assigned to assist with handoffs,
expediting transfers and improving EMS turnaround.
These strategies led to a 25 percent reduction in APOT within three months, with many shifts meeting the target of under 30 minutes. The changes also strengthened collaboration with EMS and improved overall morale in the 12-bed department.
Regular performance reviews, staff recognition and ongoing feedback loops help ensure the achievements are sustained. This success highlights the value of teamwork, innovation and data-driven leadership in improving emergency care. By prioritizing APOT reduction, the team enhanced patient care and operational readiness for future challenges.