Table 4

Model of attending physician new patients per hour and covariates at site 3

EffectEstimated new patients per hour95% CIP value
Hour 1 (intercept)2.172.00 to 2.33<0.01
Hour 2−0.79−1.00 to −0.57<0.01
Hour 3−1.05−1.22 to −0.88<0.01
Hour 4−0.94−1.11 to −0.78<0.01
Hour 5−1.01−1.16 to −0.86<0.01
Hour 6−1.06−1.21 to −0.91<0.01
Hour 7−1.21−1.31 to −1.10<0.01
Hour 8−1.43−1.56 to −1.31<0.01
Arrivals0.420.35 to 0.48<0.01
Arrivals * hour 2−0.08−0.16 to 0.01<0.01
Arrivals * hour 3−0.06−0.12 to 0.00<0.01
Arrivals * hour 4−0.10−0.17 to −0.04<0.01
Arrivals * hour 5−0.09−0.14 to −0.03<0.01
Arrivals * hour 6−0.09−0.16 to −0.02<0.01
Arrivals * hour 7−0.08−0.13 to −0.03<0.01
Arrivals * hour 8−0.09−0.16 to −0.03<0.01
Each additional doctor working−0.43−0.50 to −0.36<0.01
Acuity (median ESI)0.060.04 to 0.08<0.01
  • Asterisk (*) denotes interaction terms. 

  • Estimate of new patients per hour=(2.17+hourly adjustment)+(arrivals×(0.42+hourly adjustment)+(doctors working×−0.43)+(median acuity×0.06).

  • In the first hour of the shift, a physician working alone with five new patient arrivals and a median ESI score of 3 would see an estimate of:

  • 2.17+(5×0.42)+(0×−0.43)+(3×0.06)=4.45 patients.

  • In the fourth hour of the shift, a physician working alone with five new patient arrivals and a median ESI score of 3 would see an estimate of: (2.17+−0.94)+(5×(0.42+−0.10))+(0×−0.43)+(3×0.06)=3.01 patients.

  • ESI, Emergency Severity Index.