2024/07/31 by Benjamin K. Cook, James Evenden, Ruby Genborg +14 · 1 voice
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Health Professions · Medicine · #Emergency and Acute Care Studies #Healthcare Policy and Management #Primary Care and Health Outcomes
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/imj.16466
openalex publication_date 2024/07/31 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
'Ramping' is a commonly used term in contemporary Australian healthcare. It is also a part of the public and political zeitgeist. However, its precise definition varies among sources. In the published literature, there are distinctions between related terms, such as 'entry overload' and 'Patient Off Stretcher Time Delay'. How ramping is defined and how it came to be defined have significance for policies and procedures relating to the described phenomenon. Through examination of the history of the term, insights are obtained into the underlying issues contributing to ramping and, accordingly, associated possible solutions.