Breach avoidance facilitator – managing the A&E 4-hour target

SummaryThis paper aims to explore the concept of the breach avoidance facilitator (BAF) within the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department. This is a role that has been introduced utilising Senior Nursing staff on a supernumerary basis to predominantly provide a trouble-shooting role to manage the A&E 4-hour target. The paper will explore the initial practical difficulties that were encountered during the introduction of the role. The associated benefits of the role including monitoring of the 4-hour target, co-ordination of resources, increased communication with a variety of staff members, and the completion of a real time electronic hand-over form will be explored. The paper will also discuss how the role will evolve to provide support and clinical supervision for junior and ancillary staff.