Emergency patients can see their wait time

PROSPECTIVE patients will now be able to assess if they need the Emergency Department at Barwon Health from the comfort of home, with the launch of an online wait time dashboard.

The wait time dashboard display was set up in the ED waiting room in September, with the online version going live last week.

A barometer shows patients how busy the ED is in realtime, with a display of the number of patients waiting, average wait time and patients being seen.

ED director Michael Sheridan said the screen had helped manage expectations of how long patients could be waiting to see a clinician.

“Real-time information will allow people to make a more informed decision about their treatment options, which include visiting a GP, using a home doctor service or attend- ing a private hospital,” Dr Sheridan said.

“ED presentations continue to rise and can vary substantially from one day to the next for many reasons.

“Our team treats more than 200 people every day, with even more attending during weekends and holiday periods, so it’s important for people to find the best care for their illness or injury.”

A Geelong Advertiser investigation in June revealed that many people were presenting to the ED with non-serious conditions, including a teenager who rolled his ankle at school, a woman who jarred her thumb playing mixed basketball and multiple people with colds, coughs and chest infections.

An analysis of State Government data revealed more than 30,000 patients attended the department with semi or non-urgent symptoms in the 12 months to March.

It equates to more than 600 patients every week.

According to the data, more than 26,500 presentations to the hospital were classified as category 4, which can include sprained ankles, migraines and ear aches.

There were a further 5484 patients who arrived with less urgent category 5 conditions, which often involve rashes and minor aches and pains.

In June, Barwon Health’s acting emergency department director, Bruce Bartley, said only one in 10 nonurgent patients were actu- ally admitted to hospital.

The new-look website states that the emergency department wait depends on the seriousness of a patient’s condition.

“The sickest patients are always seen first and people with common illnesses and less urgent conditions may be asked to be seated in the waiting room,” it says.

The ED wait time dashboard can now be viewed on desktop and mobile devices at www.barwonhealth.org.au