A process for expediting the delivery of care
The goal of Mercy Folsom’s new Rapid Medical Evaluation process in the Emergency Department is to rapidly treat and discharge patients with minor medical conditions and to start diagnostic testing as early in a patient’s stay as possible.
This process has already been proven to decrease wait time and length of stay (particularly for discharged patients), and increase patient satisfaction.
A process that impacts all patients
This process replaces triage, with intake. With intake, patients’ treatment plans are determined at their first point of contact with medical and nursing staff. During intake, medical professionals will evaluate patients, where patients with:
- Minor complaints, or those who are in need of minor treatments, are seen and discharged.
- Diagnostic needs – such as simple x-rays or laboratory tests – have tests completed while waiting in a comfortable internal waiting room.
- More complex conditions, who need a complete work-up and an open bed, are seen by the physician or physician assistant, so that once they arrive in a room the primary nurse can start treatment immediately
