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Losing The Wait: New ER Process Cuts Wait Time

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Losing The Wait: New ER Process Cuts Wait Time

Just about everyone's got an emergency room story. Many involve lengthy waiting periods in their quest to see a doctor. But at St. Joseph Medical Center's Emergency Department, the trend is downward - substantially.

St. Joseph's Emergency Department, like many others in the area once experienced long wait times that averaged 53 minutes. New processes and procedures, designed by the staff recently improved wait times that now average 15 minutes and length of stays which have been reduced by almost an hour.

"Patients have been surprised when they get to a room," says Anne Marie Gaynier, RN, BSN, an ED nurse at St. Joseph. "They bring their books and magazines to the waiting room expecting to wait and are in an exam room in 10 minutes."

Physicians and nurses from the ED, along with representatives from nursing floors and departments throughout the hospital did an intensive examination of processes in the ED and considered how to improve them. The results have been impressive.

"Patient satisfactions scores are up, we've had no negative outcomes," says Andrew Battles, RN, BSN, MBA, nurse director of the ED. "Right now, we beat any ED in the city. And staff take pride in the work because they designed it.”

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Voice of the Patient

I admired the professionalism of the staff. They are a credit to the hospital.
It was thanks to the staff that I found value in Cardiac Rehab.
The most helpful part of the program was the quality care provided by the five nurses. You have a great staff!
The entire program was excellent. The classes were great and the nursing staff was very knowledgeable.
Rehab was excellent; it was vital to my full recovery and restored health.
Thank you for your support and for guiding me through this difficult time. Words cannot express my gratitude for all you have done.
I was overwhelmed with your kindness and caring.
Thank you for your extraordinary kindness, guidance and support.
You all are my angels.
Thank you for your support in a time when I was freaking out.
The Breast Center put the care in health care.
My father’s caregiver was always polite and courteous. We would just like to thank your staff and would highly recommend your services.
My caregiver showed up even when hospice said the roads were too bad!
Services were available when I needed help. The people were very helpful and kind so I could relax and concentrate on getting well. Thank you!
The care given to my parents was fantastic. My mom loved her caregiver and all the staff that called on her. Thank you.
I felt the caregivers really cared about my mother, and if they saw something I needed to be aware of they called me.
Your staff is great, very prompt and I would recommend Carondelet Care Resources to anyone.
I appreciated the personal attention and care given to my mother. She was cared for and treated with respect. Thanks so much for everything!
Every single caregiver was excellent!
My caregiver is always very polite. I think your services are excellent.
I couldn’t have asked for better treatment.
The two wonderful health care providers that came to my house gave excellent care.
The home health agency made my recovery smooth. The nurses and therapists were wonderful.
The nurse we had was great. I thought your agency was first class.
I am very pleased with the nurse that comes to take care of my husband. She has been a big help and answered all my questions.
My home health nurse was very kind and efficient. She was a tremendous help and one of the best nurses I’ve encountered.
I was especially pleased with the services I received from my nurse. She is a top professional in her field.
I have been very pleased with the care and help provided by the home health care. Thank you for all you have done.
I have received home health care from several different agencies over the years and Carondelet is by far the BEST!
My home health professionals did all they could to help me return to my normal knee function. They did their jobs well!
I was very pleased with my therapy. The therapists were very knowledgeable about my recovery requirements.
I was very happy with the service I received and I would use them again for sure. I rate them very high.
Very helpful, very professional and always interested in me as an individual. I would highly recommend them to all my friends.
My nurse was wonderful and I felt like she really cared about me.
Your staff is very welcoming and if I have to have another procedure done, I plan on going to St. Joseph.
I found I got excellent care at St. Joseph. I had a very good experience there and I highly recommend it.
I was really impressed with the people in the Cath Lab area. I have been lots of places and St. Mary’s rates #1 in my book.