A new Bundaberg Hospital emergency department position is making a difference by improving access to care and helping ambulance teams to get back out on the road.
The Bundaberg Hospital Transfer Initiative Nurse (TIN) is improving the triage process by transferring patients more quickly into emergency department-led care.
The rollout of the TIN position aligns with the objectives of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service (WBHHS)’s 2022-2026 strategic plan Care, connection, compassion for all according to Board Chair Peta Jamieson.
“TIN is an example of how WBHHS is putting in place initiatives that improve access and equity for patients who need emergency care,” Ms Jamieson said.
“Lower urgency patients who arrive by ambulance are now being supported by the TIN and it’s improving their access to the care of the Bundaberg Hospital emergency team.
“It’s also an example of WBHHS fostering its partnership with the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) by improving the transfer of patients from paramedics into the emergency department, therefore getting ambulances back on the road.”
Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Debbie Carroll said while patients with the most critical conditions would continue to be fast tracked into a resuscitation bay or the main emergency department, TIN was focused on improving the management of lower urgency patients.
“Previously these lower urgency patients would be waiting longer on a stretcher with a paramedic supporting them, now they’re being placed into the care of a nurse as they await medical assessment,” Ms Carroll said.
“By placing these patients under nursing care, TIN not only improves the triage process and the patient’s access to care in the emergency department, it’s getting QAS paramedics back into the community where they can support the next person in need.
“It really is an all-round win for everyone from our patients to our emergency staff to the QAS.”
Other examples of the WBHHS providing better access and equity to care in the Bundaberg area that support the emergency department include the current construction of the Lighthouse Crisis Support Space, the Residential Aged care facility Support Service (RaSS), Geriatric Emergency Department Initiative (GEDI) and the Specialist Palliative Aged Care Service (SPACE).
This initiative aligns with our strategic plan objective Equity and access and Foster Partnerships.
Find out more about our 2022-2026 strategic plan Care, connection, compassion for all.