Why isn crutch-walking instruction a resource?
Though crutch-walking instruction may consume a fair amount of the ED staff members’ time, it is often provided to patients who have simple ankle sprains. These patients are typically classified as ESI level 4 (ankle x-ray = one resource). The patients are clearly less acute and less resource intensive than more complex patients like those with tibia/fibula fractures who are usually ESI level 3 (leg films, orthopedic consult, cast/splint, IV pain medications = two or more resources). A better way to reflect the ED staff’s efforts for crutch-walking instruction is with a nursing resource intensity measure.
