Table 3 Synopsis of feasible and useful process-based performance indicators

a) Time indicators:

 • Total time in the EC

 • Time from arrival to triage/triage to being seen by doctor/arrival EC to discharge

 • Time taken to obtain emergency blood

 • Time to administration of adequate analgesia

 • Time to obtain an urgent 12-lead ECG for patients with chest pain

 • Door-to-needle (or catheter laboratory) time for acute STEMI

 • Time to first dose of IV antibiotic in septic meningitis

 • Time to stop active bleeding

 • Time to CT scan in head injured patients

 • Time to immobilize a fracture

 • Adherence to target times of the South African Triage Group

b) Percentage of relevant cases/situations where there is documentation of:

 • The weight of a child

 • Vitals in the recovery area post sedation

 • Neurovascular status of an affected limb

 • SpO2 in patients with respiratory problems

 • Peak flow before nebulisations in patients with bronchospasm

 • Visual acuity in patients with visual complaint

 • Fluorescein staining in all presentations of painful red eye

 • INR in patients with resistant epistaxis

 • BP/urine dipstick in pregnant patients