Health Essentials - Spring 2012 - Medina - (Page 6)

Expert emergency care Our treatment times are now quicker than ever Depending on the type of visit, patients may remain in their regular clothes and, in some cases, not be assigned to a specific ED bed. Patients may be moved to treatment areas specific to their needs. The Benefits to Patients “The goal of split-flow is to get patients to the appropriate level of care, faster. Some patients are very ill and require immediate medical assistance. We also know that patients with less serious conditions don’t want to sit around and wait. We’ve heard their comments and changed the process to improve their satisfaction,” says Dr. Bowen. According to Dave of Valley City, we’re doing that. Dave comments, “I could not believe the difference in my emergency room experience. The first person I saw was a physician who got the ball rolling. The entire visit was much improved!” “Should a patient need to be admitted,” Dr. Bowen explains, “they appreciate knowing they are only steps away from our inpatient care and specialty services. They feel confident knowing they have easy access to Cleveland Clinic world class care whenever they need it.” The Medina Hospital ED cares for nearly 28,000 patients each year, treating emergencies ranging from broken bones to heart attacks and stroke. It is staffed by board-certified physicians. Patients coming to the Emergency Department (ED) at Medina Hospital are talking about the shorter wait times since the hospital began a new process, the split-flow system, to expedite care. How Split-Flow Works Split-flow is a change in how emergency medical care is provided. It is designed to get the sickest patients seen quickly and to facilitate the care of patients who are not as ill. An important component of split-flow is early triage to assess the severity of illness and the particular needs of the patient. “Our new split-flow system has made a positive difference in how we care for patients,” says Kim Bowen, MD, medical director of the Medina Hospital Emergency Department. “We always provided good care, but by streamlining the flow of patients through the ED, we are shortening wait times dramatically.” Kim Bowen, MD Emergency Medicine (click) DOWNLOAD A FACT SHEET Visit medinahospital.org/ED to download a fact sheet on split-flow at Medina Hospital. 6 HEALTH ESSENTiALS SPRING 2012 http://www.medinahospital.org/ED

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Health Essentials - Spring 2012 - Medina

Health Essentials - Spring 2012 - Medina
Exciting news about Health Essentials
Patient-friendly features in the new orthopaedic center
A grandmother’s strength
Changes to emergency department work wonders
Top-notch cancer treatment is now available closer to you

Health Essentials - Spring 2012 - Medina