ED just keeps getting busier

THE number of people arriving at the Townsville Hospital’s Emergency Department has continued to rise for the past three years.

Data obtained by the Townsville Bulletin shows that in the year to June 2018, ED presentation rose to 82,160.

This compared to 79,529 presentations in the previous year.

Of the people presenting to the ED up to June this year, only 32.81 per cent were admitted to the hospital.

Of the 287 EDs in Australia in 2017, the Townsville Hospital’s was the 15th busiest.

Townsville Hospital acting medical director Dr John Dick said the community generally had a good understanding of when to visit the department and when to visit a GP.

“Townsville has a skilled and knowledgeable general practitioner workforce and the value of the care they provide our community shouldn’t be understated,” he said.

“GPs can build long- term relationships with patients and offer a continuity of care over a long period which is a vital component of health care.

“When people come to the Townsville Hospital Emergen- cy Department, they will be triaged based on the severity of their condition.”

Dr Dick said everyone who arrived at the ED would be seen, but priority would be given to patients who needed immediate attention.

“During periods of high demand, people whose conditions or injuries are minor will need to wait for care while patients who require urgent care are looked after,” he said.

“People who are unwell should always seek treatment, whether that be at their local GP or at the Emergency Department.”

The Emergency Department triage categories are as follows:

Category 1: Immediately life- threatening. Patient should be seen by a treating doctor or nurse within two minutes of arriving.

Category 2: Imminently life- threatening. Patient should be seen by a treating doctor or nurse within 10 minutes of arriving.

Category 3: Potentially lifethreatening. Patient should be seen by a treating doctor or nurse within 30 minutes of arriving.

Category 4: Potentially serious. Patient should be seen by a treating doctor or nurse within 60 minutes of arriving.

Category 5: Less urgent. Patient should be seen by a treating doctor or nurse within 120 minutes of arriving.