A new Rapid Assessment Zone will open in the emergency room at St. Marys Memorial Hospital.
The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance says the hospital in St. Marys saw over 9,500 patients last year.
ER Program Director Shirley Veenendaal says the rapid assessment is a see and treat model that increases patient flow and improves the patient experience.
It involves minor cases where people may need tests or medication, but are reasonably comfortable sitting up and walking around.
The Zone will provide an area for the physician to assess those patients without the need of a stretcher, so they can be treated and discharged more quickly.
It will go into effect May 26th to ease back ups during busy times when the stretchers are all in use.
Janet Vankoot, RN and Team Lead, says “Data from the past two years has shown that some patients have left the hospital without being seen due to longer wait times when this back-up occurs. The identified challenges of increased wait times for less urgent patients and the fact that patients are leaving without being seen were the two main drivers for developing the RAZ.”
How does it work?
- Patient is sorted according to the urgency of their need for care in the triage room.
- If the patient is a semi-urgent or non-urgent and able to be assessed and treated by the ED
- Physician without the use of a stretcher, the patient can be either placed in the waiting room and designated for RAZ assessment, or placed in the RAZ to wait for the doctor.
- Patient is seen by the ED Physician and then discharged.
