Divisional operations director of access and investigative services Emma Bryden-Brown said the health service had continued building on improvements introduced over the past year.
“We know our Emergency Department remains very busy, so we’re constantly looking at ways to improve how patients move through the ED and the hospital to access the care they need,” she said.
One of the latest initiatives is the new Patient Flow and Access Unit, which includes four flexible beds designed to support patient flow across the health service.
“The PFAU allows us to better manage patient flow and provide alternative avenues for planned hospital procedures for some patients who previously may have needed to come through the Emergency Department,” Ms Bryden-Brown said.
“It also brings together the staff responsible for patient flow into a central location, improving visibility, communication and decision-making across the hospital.”
The health service has also introduced an Emergency Department Dashboard, providing the community with real-time information about Emergency Department activity, including waiting times and patient numbers. The dashboard is visible on the GV Health website and live on a screen in the ED waiting room.
“The dashboard helps keep people informed and provides greater transparency around demand in the Emergency Department,” Ms Bryden-Brown said.
Another recent improvement has been the redesign of the Emergency Department triage area.
The updated space provides a better view of the waiting room for staff, improved privacy for patients speaking with triage nurses and enhanced security, with security staff now stationed within the waiting area.
“Together, these initiatives are helping us improve patient flow, enhance patient experience and support our staff to deliver care more effectively,” Ms Bryden-Brown said.
GV Health reminds the community that people with non-urgent health concerns should consider their GP, urgent care centres or the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, while life-threatening emergencies should always present to the Emergency Department.
