Post by admin on Jan 25, 2007 17:10:51 GMT -5
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - Patients arriving at CentraState Medical Center's Emergency Department now receive a restaurant-style pager at check-in that silently alerts them when the triage nurse is ready to see them. According to a press release, the new process was implemented to enhance patient confidentiality by eliminating the need to call the patient's name aloud.
"CentraState is committed to enhancing the patient experience at all levels, in addition to achieving the best possible clinical outcomes. The pager program supports our focus on protecting patient privacy," said Linda Geisler, vice president, Patient Care Services, CentraState Medical Center.
Upon entering CentraState's Emer-gency Department, a greeter meets walk-in patients and records their names and chief complaints, said Laurie Gambar-della, clinical director, Emergency Services.
A staff member then issues a privacy pager to those whose symptoms do not suggest a life-threatening situation requiring immediate attention and instructs patients or family members what to do when it activates.
The pager, which resembles a television remote-control device, vibrates and lights up when the triage nurse presses a specific number on a console in her office, indicating she is ready to see the particular patient.
As is customary in emergency departments, patients are seen based on the severity of their symptoms, rather than the time they arrived, said Gambardella. A staff member cleans and disinfects each pager before returning it to the charging tower at the greeter's station.
"From fast track care and a CT scanner on site to kid-friendly patient rooms, improvements we've made in our Emer-gency Department provide for a better patient care experience," Gambardella said. "Our patient satisfaction scores, which consistently rank in the 90th percentile, show that patients are more satisfied with the care they receive."
"CentraState is committed to enhancing the patient experience at all levels, in addition to achieving the best possible clinical outcomes. The pager program supports our focus on protecting patient privacy," said Linda Geisler, vice president, Patient Care Services, CentraState Medical Center.
Upon entering CentraState's Emer-gency Department, a greeter meets walk-in patients and records their names and chief complaints, said Laurie Gambar-della, clinical director, Emergency Services.
A staff member then issues a privacy pager to those whose symptoms do not suggest a life-threatening situation requiring immediate attention and instructs patients or family members what to do when it activates.
The pager, which resembles a television remote-control device, vibrates and lights up when the triage nurse presses a specific number on a console in her office, indicating she is ready to see the particular patient.
As is customary in emergency departments, patients are seen based on the severity of their symptoms, rather than the time they arrived, said Gambardella. A staff member cleans and disinfects each pager before returning it to the charging tower at the greeter's station.
"From fast track care and a CT scanner on site to kid-friendly patient rooms, improvements we've made in our Emer-gency Department provide for a better patient care experience," Gambardella said. "Our patient satisfaction scores, which consistently rank in the 90th percentile, show that patients are more satisfied with the care they receive."
