Addressing ED overcrowding with technology tools
Landmark Medical Center
Woonsocket, R.I.
Patient visits to hospital emergency departments can peak at different parts of the day and week, with overcrowding resulting in delays for assessment and care, as well as lower patient satisfaction. Many hospitals and health systems are rethinking triage processes and using new technology tools to ensure access, shorten patients’ length of stay in the ED, and improve care quality and efficiency.
Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket, R.I., offers FastTrackCare for patients with minor injuries or sudden illness to get the medical attention they need quickly and conveniently. Patients schedule their arrival time online, by phone or via text, and receive confirmation details and directions. They can wait in the comfort of their home instead of the ED waiting area.
The Landmark ED can handle most severe medical emergencies, including a heart attack, poisoning, burns, severe or sudden pain, emotional distress, and injuries suffered in an automobile accident or from a fall or violent act. FastTrackCare, for non-life-threatening emergencies, aims to improve the ED experience for all patients and providers.
Studies show that using such technology tools can improve patient flow, decrease patients’ length of stay, improve health outcomes, and help address overcrowding and staffing shortages in the ED.