Patients with lower acuity illnesses and injuries will be seen faster at the Emergency Department at Wonthaggi Hospital after the new Fast Track unit opened on Monday 5 June.
The unit is a designated space that cares for patients with lower acuity illnesses and injuries, and is designed to assess, treat and discharge patients in a timelier manner. This space was purpose-built to manage this cohort and it is such a delight to be able to provide our community with this added resource.
This in turn enables the Emergency Department to have available space to manage higher acuity patients, said ED Nurse Unit Manager Cat Bunn.
“Patients will benefit as we treat selected patients in this new area. Patients will be seen by a doctor and nurse and receive timely assessment, treatment and discharge,” she said.
“The types of presentations that will be seen in this area will range from minor lacerations, fractures or injuries to mild infections such as a respiratory illness, to name a few.”
The first patient was Lilly Dellamina, who came to us to seek help for an injury.
“It’s new and quick, and you don’t have to wait as long,” Lilly said.
Her mother Laura Thorn added, “We were waiting for only 10 minutes, which was shorter than what we were anticipating.”
The Fast Track unit will initially open for restricted hours, however patients can still expect to receive quality care when the unit is closed.