Time is on your side at Springs Memorial Hospital's ER

(August 1, 2012) -  When you’re experiencing a medical emergency, the last thing you want to do is wait. Emergency medicine is about two things: skilled care and speed. Springs Memorial Hospital knows the importance of prompt service – especially in the emergency room (ER). “That’s why Springs Memorial Hospital is launching a 45-Minute ER Commitment – to assure patients that we are dedicated not only to offering quality care, but also to providing that care as efficiently and quickly as possible,” says Karen Martin, Chief Nursing Officer. 

When a patient enters the ER at SMH, the arrival time is noted. The 45-Minute ER Commitment is an average time frame and it begins the minute a patient checks in at the ER desk. “Our pledge is that a clinical professional – which is defined as a physician, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner – will initially see each patient within an average of 45 minutes of their arrival. When the patient is initially seen by a clinical professional, the time is logged on the patient’s chart – so we can track our performance in keeping our pledge of low ER wait times,” said Martin.

“While the goal of SMH’s ER pledge is to initially see every patient within 45 minutes, the most critical health emergencies will always receive top priority,” said Otis Speight, MD, ER Medical Director.

The hospital will launch the 45-Minute ER Commitment on August 1st.  “We believe this service pledge will distinguish us from other health care providers in the area, and underline our commitment to the people who live and work in the community,” Speight said.

“While we are committed to prompt and appropriate care for our ER patients, the 45-Minute ER pledge should not be misinterpreted as an effort to rush patients though the ER,” Martin adds. “Our process improvements focus on getting ER patients into a treatment room as quickly as possible, enabling our clinical professionals to see a patient and begin diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner.”