Application of Queuing Theory to Optimize the Triage Process in a Tertiary Emergency Care ("ER") Department.

Context: Time from triage to patient care is usually evaluated, but time elapsed between the arrival of patient to emergency room (ER) and triage (pretriage) is not usually measured.

Aims: The present study evaluates how the application of the queuing (or "waiting line") theory in the triage process can generate effective strategies to improve patient care in the ER.

Settings And Design: A "before-and-after" study was conducted in the ER of the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, a tertiary emergency care in Bogotá, Colombia.