One of the first patients treated under the new model was Muhammad Imran, who presented with pain and discomfort caused by tonsillitis, and was treated and discharged within 40 minutes.
Under the new care model, which has been operating at Westmead and Blacktown Hospitals for the past two years, all patients are assessed upon presenting to the emergency department and are streamed based on the urgency and complexity of their needs.
Auburn’s ED director Dr Romesh Singam said: “Three key improvements we aim to see with this model are decreasing wait times to care, improved times for administering pain relief, and better communication throughout the experience.”
Patients with minor illnesses, rashes, aches and pains are urged to visit their GP rather than the ED, and can also phone the free telephone advice line Healthdirect Australia (1800 022 222), staffed by registered nurses 24/7.
Bid to cut pain in emergency ward
A NEW model of care adopted by Auburn Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED), means less urgent and complex patients will no longer be waiting in the same queue as acute patients.
