Investigation into the effectiveness of construction interventions on the performance of emergency departments within NSW and QLD Health

Introduction: Investment in new hospital infrastructure is one of the most costly investments that governments make in Australia, yet construction responses often fail to take into account the need for close collaboration with key stakeholders to achieve the intended outcomes. Given the projected demands on Emergency Departments (EDs) and health care into the future, it is important that the efficiency and effectiveness of these investments are maximised. Research is required to provide evidence-based recommendations for future policy and practice. Aim: To identify whether upgrades/expansions of Emergency Department facilities through capital expenditure result in increases in throughput and/or efficiency in Emergency Departments. Method: This study critically examines the construction of new Emergency Department facilities in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD). Quantitative analysis is used to test the effects of various strategies to address improved performance against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), with a particular focus on construction as a high-cost strategy with long-term implications and resource impacts.