Optimizing ED Utilization: The Impact of After-Hours Nurse Triage

Anytime Telecare is a healthcare services organization that provides after-hours nurse-led telephone triage to guide patients to appropriate levels of care. This report examines how after-hours nurse triage can reduce avoidable emergency department (ED) and urgent care utilization while improving cost efficiency and continuity of care. A substantial portion of ED visits consists of low-acuity conditions that could be managed in lower-cost settings, often driven by limited access to timely medical guidance outside regular clinic hours. Drawing on existing literature, this study highlights the effectiveness of nurse-led tele-triage in safely directing patients to appropriate care settings, thereby reducing unnecessary ED use and downstream healthcare costs. It also emphasizes the role of after-hours access models and policy support in shaping care-seeking behavior. Despite strong evidence at the system level, there remains a gap in practice-level economic evaluation. This project addresses that gap by positioning Anytime Telecare as a scalable intervention within value-based care models, demonstrating its potential to improve clinical outcomes while generating cost savings.