Improving patient care in emergency departments with adaptive staffing

Feasibility and Evaluation of an Adaptive STaffing Model in a Community Emergency Department (FAST-ED)

Observational Oak Valley Health · NCT05937763

This study is testing whether adding a primary care paramedic or nurse during busy times in emergency departments can help improve patient care and reduce wait times.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment5917 (estimated)
SexAll
SponsorOak Valley Health Academic / other
Locations1 site (Markham, Ontario)
Trial IDNCT05937763 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study focuses on addressing the challenges faced by emergency departments in Ontario due to high patient volumes and staffing shortages. It aims to evaluate the impact of adding a primary care paramedic or registered nurse in the offload zone during peak ambulance times to enhance patient care and reduce offload times. By comparing the effectiveness of this adaptive staffing model, the study seeks to identify improvements in patient flow and overall well-being in emergency settings.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are patients who arrive at the emergency department by ambulance.

Not a fit: Patients who do not arrive at the emergency department offload area will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve patient care and reduce waiting times in emergency departments.

How similar studies have performed: While similar staffing interventions have been explored, this specific adaptive model is relatively novel and untested in this context.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients brought in by ambulance to hospitals emergency department offload area

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients not arriving to the hospitals emergency department offload area

Where this trial is running

Markham, Ontario

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Emergency MedicineWell-Being, Psychological
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.