The 45-Minutes-Or-Less ER Service Pledge at Springs Memorial Hospital

What exactly is the 45-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge?
When patients enter the Emergency Room at Springs Memorial Hospital, the time of their arrival will be noted. Our pledge is that a clinical professional (physician or nurse practitioner) will work diligently to have our patients initially seen within 45 minutes of their noted arrival.

Does this mean patients will be on their way home in 45 minutes or less?
No. We will work hard to have a provider initially see our patients and begin their evaluation and treatment within 45 minutes of their noted arrival. Depending on the nature of their illness or injury, and the unpredictable volume of patients requiring emergency care at any given time, the wait time and duration of each visit will vary.

How is the timeframe of patients’ visits documented for this pledge?
When a patient arrives and checks in, the time of arrival will be noted. When the provider initially sees the patient, the time will be documented by the Emergency Room staff.

Is a 45-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge really necessary for an emergency room?
In many emergency rooms across the country, wait times have been increasing. We want to assure our patients that we are dedicated to not only offering quality care but also to working diligently to provide that care as efficiently as possible.

When do the 45 minutes officially start?
The 45 minutes start when the patient checks in with our staff at the Emergency Room desk.

Does the 45-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge affect how patients are prioritized?
While the goal is to initially see every patient within 45 minutes of their noted arrival, the most severe cases will always receive immediate attention.

How can the Emergency Room maintain quality care if speed is the priority?
It is not our objective now, nor will it ever be, to “rush” patients through the Emergency Room. Our process improvements have been focused on getting patients into a room as quickly as possible and enabling the clinical professional to initially see a patient and begin their diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner.

Is the 45-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge in effect at all times and does it apply to all ages – infants to senior citizens?
Yes.

Do I have to wait up to 45 minutes for someone to say, “May I help you?”
Absolutely not. Emergency Room staff will greet you as soon as you come in, and a nurse will assess your condition through a triage process. We know your time is valuable and we pledge to work diligently to have a provider initially see you within 45 minutes of your noted arrival.

Does this cost more?
No.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1. The ER wait time represents the time it takes from arrival until a patient is initially seen by a physician or nurse practitioner. Patients are triaged upon their arrival in the ER. They are then seen by a provider in an order based on their complaint, condition, and the reason for their visit. While many patients are initially seen by a clinical professional within 45 minutes of their arrival, during some peak times when the number of patients and/or trauma situations exceeds the number of providers or beds, some patients are not initially seen within 45 minutes of their noted arrival. Should you have any additional questions about the 45-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge, please ask any of our Emergency Room staff.