At a time when record numbers of patients are attending Queensland Emergency Departments, the most critical patients are still being seen on time.
However, less serious patients are being reminded that accessing treatment from more appropriate sources – such as GPs, pharmacies, Satellite Hospitals, or Urgent Care Clinics – will help keep emergency departments available for emergencies.
In the June quarter, there were 219 category 1 presentations at Ipswich Hospital which is an increase of 19 per cent compared with the same period last year, reflecting the steep rise in acuity as the region’s population rapidly grows.
Category 2 presentations to the Ipswich Hospital Emergency Department increased by 10.5 per cent for the same period. These patients present with imminently life-threatening illnesses or injuries, such as someone who has had a stroke or an epileptic seizure.
Across all five West Moreton Health emergency departments, category 1 and 2 patients increased by 14 and 8 per cent respectively, year on year.
Despite the above-average acuity and presentations, the median wait time across all five categories was 18 minutes and seriously ill patients were seen within the clinically recommended time of two minutes.
However, less urgent presentations place unnecessary pressure on the system and, potentially, put the lives of others at risk.
In the same quarter, 2,840 category 5 patients presented to West Moreton Health emergency departments seeking treatment which could have been provided in a more appropriate health setting.
Patients with conditions such as earaches and ingrown toenails don’t necessarily need to attend an emergency department.
In the most extreme case from May to July, an Ipswich Hospital patient waited over nine hours to be seen.
Some longer waits were from presentations including splinters, repeat prescriptions or medical certificates.
