Tip of the week: Create a task force to evaluate ED call options

The primary goal of an ED call task force is to engage the medical staff at the front end of this process to foster collaboration and transparency so medical staff members know their input is important and that they are the major decision-makers for any proposed solution. This committee will drive the evaluation process and make recommendations to the medical executive committee, management, and the board, as to which options to consider. The goal should be developing a solution that is fair and equitable to all medical staff members taking call.

The ED task force should consist of 10-12 members, including the following:

• Medical staff members who serve on ED call panels
• Medical staff members who are thought leaders in the community
• One or more hospital administrators or representatives, e.g., CEO, COO, CIO, CMO, CFO, legal counsel
• A chairperson appointed from the board or medical staff members.

This week’s tip is adapted from Emergency Department On-Call Strategies: Solutions for Physician-Hospital Alignment by Jonathan H. Burroughs, MD, MBA, FACPE, CMSL; Richard A. Sheff, MD, CMSL; Martin B. Buser, MPH, FACHE; and Roger A. Heroux, MHA, PhD, FACHE.