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New waiting room will improve patient flow
Media information For immediate release
Date: 29 May 2009
New waiting room will improve patient flow
A new Emergency Department waiting room at Waikato Hospital will create more space and improve patient flow through the busy area.
Staff have treated more than 4000 people this month and they're hopeful that the new waiting room will reduce waiting times as the average number of patients each day continues to increase.
Located next to the current waiting area, the new room will be the first point of contact for all patients and visitors from Wednesday (3 June).
Operations manager Jenni Yeates is confident it won't confuse patients.
"Most people who come to the department require emergency care and can be in a very distressed state.
"The last thing we want to do is add to this so we'll have new signs in place to direct anyone who isn't sure," she said.
On Wednesday, the current waiting area will change to clinical space for patients already seen by the triage nurse but waiting for a doctor.
"We're always looking at ways to control the chaotic nature of the department that benefits both the patient and the staff working in the department.
"This new waiting room will ultimately keep the beds in ED for those in greater need while the less urgent cases will be kept in the old waiting room and assessed while they wait."
The changes will also help the hospital work towards the Ministry of Health's new target of reducing Emergency Department waiting times.
Currently, all patients waiting to see a doctor will first be seen by a triage nurse, given a bed in the department, and then moved several times during their stay.
Ms Yeates said this isn't an ideal situation for the patient or the staff looking after them.
"From Wednesday, the less acute patients will have their initial assessment in a private cubicle and if considered stable, will be moved into the old waiting room area where they will stay.
"There they will be closely monitored, tests will be taken and vital signs checked so all their information will be available when the doctor is ready to see them."
These changes are part of a project aimed at improving the patient flow through the Emergency Department.
"Ultimately, it's about providing the right care, to the right patient, in the right place and in a timely fashion," Ms Yeates said.
ENDS
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
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