{"id":1247,"date":"2025-05-28T09:26:17","date_gmt":"2025-05-28T09:26:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.imperial.ac.uk\/medical-centre\/?p=1247"},"modified":"2025-05-28T09:26:17","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T09:26:17","slug":"digital-kiosks-in-emergency-departments-can-they-enhance-efficiency-and-patient-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.imperial.ac.uk\/medical-centre\/2025\/05\/28\/digital-kiosks-in-emergency-departments-can-they-enhance-efficiency-and-patient-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital Kiosks in Emergency Departments: Can They Enhance Efficiency and Patient Care?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Emergency departments (EDs) are often the first point of contact for patients requiring urgent medical attention. With increasing patient volumes and limited resources, EDs face challenges in maintaining efficiency and ensuring timely care. A recent systematic review published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research<\/a><\/em>\u00a0by our research group explores the role of digital check-in and triage kiosks in addressing these challenges.<\/p>\n

Key Findings from the Systematic Review<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

The review analysed five studies conducted between 2019 and 2022 across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, encompassing a total of 47,778 patients and 310,249 ED visits. These studies varied in design, including cross-sectional analyses, pilot studies, retrospective analyses, and randomised controlled trials,<\/p>\n

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  1. <\/b>Efficiency Improvements<\/strong><\/b>
    \nDigital kiosks have been associated with reduced patient wait times and improved patient flow within EDs. By streamlining the check-in and triage processes, these kiosks can expedite patient assessment and allocation to appropriate care pathways.<\/li>\n
  2. <\/b>Patient Safety and Accuracy<\/strong><\/b>
    \nThe studies reviewed indicated that digital kiosks can accurately capture patient information and symptoms, aiding in effective triage decisions. However, the accuracy is contingent upon the design of the kiosk interface and the algorithms used for symptom assessment.<\/li>\n
  3. <\/b>Patient Satisfaction<\/strong><\/b>
    \nPatient responses to digital kiosks were generally positive, with many appreciating the privacy and autonomy provided during the check-in process. Nonetheless, some patients expressed a preference for human interaction, highlighting the need for a balanced approach.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Considerations for Implementation<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

    While digital kiosks offer promising benefits, their successful integration into ED workflows requires careful planning:<\/p>\n