ACEM - Policies and Regulations

01 Aug 2024

Policy on Clinical Handover in the ED

Clinical handover is a high-risk activity for patient safety due to the potential for communication error. The use of a structured tool provides a standardised approach to clinical handover. However, it should not replace clarifying communication around complex and multifaceted presentations.

01 Nov 2016

Statement on Night Shift Rostering of Emergency Physicians

ACEM recommends that at least one FACEM is rostered on-call at night (for annual presentations of approx. 15000). ACEM makes further recommendations on the number of non-FACEM senior decision makers that should be present overnight. ACEM does not support the introduction of night shift rosters for specialist emergency physicians.

01 Nov 2023

Statement on Role Delineation in Emergency Departments

This framework for grouping EDs with other hospital-based Emergency Care Centres, based on level of service provision, aligns with the ACEM Quality Standards. A division into six levels of service aligns with the six-level capability frameworks used by Australasian jurisdictions for most areas of acute care.

01 Mar 2024

Policy on Responsibility for Care in Emergency Departments

This policy is designed to provide guidance for emergency departments (EDs) and hospitals on the roles and responsibilities of EDs in providing care to patients within the ED, including those with delayed admissions or transfers, where shared care may be required.

02 Dec 2022

Statement on Ambulance Ramping and Diversion

Both ambulance ramping/off-stretcher delay, and ambulance diversion are detrimental to patient outcomes. ACEM recommends their avoidance, and that the use of KPIs for monitoring interactions between ambulance services and EDs informs system optimisation.

01 Nov 2020

Statement on Emergency Department Overcrowding

Where the capacity of a hospital’s inpatient services cannot meet patient demand, access block and emergency department overcrowding occurs, which the ACEM considers are critical indicators of health system dysfunction. Hospital management bears the responsibility for restoring a safe working environment in these circumstances.

01 Mar 2021

Statement on Access Block

Access block is the single most serious issue facing EDs in Australia and New Zealand as it negatively affects the provision of safe, timely and quality medical care. The statement outlines the key issues impacting on the capability of EDs, and emergency specialists, in providing timely care for patients in a safe environment.