New technology assisting patients in Emergency Department

A new process to enable improved assessment, monitoring and care for patients in the Emergency Department (ED) is being trialled at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH) to expand hospital capacity and enhance the patient experience.

An Emergency Care Navigation Centre (ECNC) is one of the new initiatives developed by the hospital to enhance access and expediate the assessment, treatment, and referral of patients in the ED waiting room.

Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group Executive Director Dr Jodi Graham said clinicians in the ECNC can see which patients have been triaged, what tests have been ordered, any medications given, and other steps in the patient visit.

"The ECNC is staffed by a senior emergency doctor and nurse working in collaboration with a Geriatric Acute and Rehabilitation Medicine Coordinator and St John WA paramedic," she said.

"They can rapidly view available patient information including each patient's details, condition, medication, and medical history and prepare for the patient's ED journey."

During busy times in the ED, patients are asked to self-register via an app and answer four quick questions to log themselves on the system. The app, known as My Emergency Visit, was developed by senior clinical staff in the ED for a smoother, more efficient patient journey.

The app enables clinicians to see patients have been triaged, what tests have been ordered and any medications they have received.

In addition, clinicians also have access to a digital observation chart allowing monitoring of triaged patients in the waiting room and their vital signs – to support early intervention if a patient clinically deteriorates.

Dr Graham said the ECNC with My Emergency Visit app are two of the new initiatives initiated by the Hospital Emergency Access Response Team.

Launched in July 2022, these combined initiatives have led to a 48% reduction in ramping hours and improved patient flow.

The hospital has also expanded allied health, pharmacy and radiology services to assist discharges on the weekend.