Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) is dedicated to providing patients the best possible care in the right place, at the right time by the right people.
As part of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) Wait Time Strategy, and its priority action to reduce wait times and improve access to care,CKHA participated in the Ministry-funded project known as the Process Improvement Program (PIP). This pilot project, initiated in September 2010, has resulted in fasterEmergency Department (ED) assessment time,which reduced wait times and improved efficiency of safe, quality care.
The goal of the project wasto improve access to care by reducing the amount of time waiting in the ED. Reducingthe time people spend waiting in ED is a complex issue that cannot be solved by focusing on the hospital ED alone. The success of this project required support and commitment from the entire CKHA organization. The core project team included members from the ED and medicine units, support services, physicians, and a Ministry-appointed lead.
This project focused on creating a new model of care for patients who present to the ED with less serious health problems. An area called Pod 5 is where these patients are seen, treated and referred or discharged by one physician or Nurse Practitioner. Patients who are more serious or require in depth treatment are directed to the main ED area for care. Patients with less serious health problems benefit from timelier access to care, and patient surveys show improved patient satisfaction.
A team of ED Registered Practical Nurses (RPN’s) supports the physician/NP partnership.Participating in this pilot project funded by the Ministry, engaging employees, and support from all levels within the organization demonstrates CKHA’s ongoing commitment to providing the best possible patient carein the right place, at the right time by the right people
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