Assessing Quebec's Multi-Component Program to Reduce Emergency Room Overcrowding

In 1986, the Quebec government launched a $176 million program, consisting of 28 specific components, to reduce overcrowding by bedridden patients in 40 hospital emergency rooms. This article reports on the effectiveness evaluation of the program in ten hospitals. Data regarding evolution of component-specific program implementation, costs and outcome measures were collected at six pre- and post-intervals over three years. Given the limited number of evaluation sites, key informers' perception of program effectiveness as well as external data sources used to corroborate findings were integrated through convergence on specific issues. The limited effectiveness of the program is discussed as well as possible avenues for improvement.