Improving patient throughput: my perspective

Emergency departments (EDs) are stretched to their limits. More than 90% report overcrowding [1], and 27% of hospitals struggle with declining inpatient capacity even as ED visits rise [2]. I’ve spoken to countless clinicians who feel the weight of these bottlenecks every day – long wait times, patients in hallway beds and limited telemetry resources to monitor those who need it most.

Telemetry monitoring is critical for identifying cardiac issues, but here’s the dilemma – it’s often overutilized for patients who don’t need it and underutilized due to limited capacity. This inefficiency creates significant downstream costs for hospitals and delays crucial care for patients.

One of the most exciting solutions we’ve developed at Philips is leveraging home-based telemetry monitoring to reimagine care pathways. Here’s how it works: when a patient comes into the ED with a condition like syncope (fainting), instead of admitting them for observation, we discharge them with a mobile cardiac telemetry (MCT) device.

This portable technology allows patients to go home while their cardiac rhythms are monitored in real time. Meanwhile, their data is shared with their care team, and their cardiologist receives a referral right away. By the time the patient has their follow-up appointment – usually within days – the specialist already has the diagnostic data in hand.

This isn’t just a win for the patient, who avoids unnecessary hospital stays; it’s also a win for the ED. Fewer admissions mean less overcrowding, faster throughput and the ability to focus on higher-acuity cases. Plus, it’s far more cost-effective for hospitals and a more comfortable experience for patients recovering in their own homes.

For any of this to succeed, we need solid data and the tools to make sense of it. At Philips, we’ve invested heavily in AI-powered solutions that quickly and accurately analyze telemetry data. Imagine being able to detect arrhythmias in real time – it means faster interventions and fewer missed opportunities.

We’ve also developed systems to store telemetry data for up to a year. This isn’t just about keeping records; it’s about unlocking insights. With long-term data, hospitals can identify trends, optimize workflows and drive standardization across sites. For example, we can highlight which patients don’t need in-hospital telemetry and are better candidates for home-based monitoring.

Making these changes isn’t just about technology; it’s about leadership. One of the most vital roles leaders have is bringing departments like EDs and cardiology together. Building a shared pathway takes collaboration and, frankly, strong communication.

I always encourage leaders to be driven by data. Use numbers to back up your decisions and measure success. But beyond that, foster a culture of accountability. When care teams understand their roles, whether in monitoring patients or escalating alerts, the whole system runs more smoothly.

Change management is hard – it requires buy-in from multiple stakeholders and persistence to see it through. But when you’re able to show measurable improvements like shorter patient wait times or faster diagnoses, it makes the case for change much stronger.

What excites me most is seeing how these solutions aren’t just fixing inefficiencies – they’re improving patient lives. By bridging the gap between hospital and home, we’re helping patients get the care they need faster while easing the burden on overwhelmed healthcare systems.

This is the future of healthcare – a smarter, more adaptive system that uses data and innovation to do more with less. Every time I see how these changes impact patients and clinicians, I’m reminded why I choose to work at Philips.

If you’re interested in a more in-depth conversation on this topic, I recently chatted with my colleague, Amy Martin, Head of Patient Monitoring Standards, for a Health Management Academy webinar, Virtual pathways to better throughput.

Thanks for taking the time to hear my perspective. Together, we can make real progress in improving patient throughput and building a healthcare system that works for everyone.