December 8, 2014
The Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service says South Burnett residents in need of emergency medical care are in good hands with both the Cherbourg and Kingaroy Hospital emergency services exceeding the National Emergency Access Target (NEAT).
NEAT aims to have 83 per cent of patients admitted, discharged or transferred within four hours of presentation by the end of 2014.
Recently released quarterly performance figures showed Cherbourg Hospital’s Emergency Unit achieved this goal in 98 per cent of cases by the end of September 2014, while Kingaroy Hospital’s Emergency section achieved rate of 93 per cent.
Cherbourg Hospital’s Director of Nursing Ms Gayle Hocking said the hospital’s excellent results were a credit to the hard work of the staff.
“All of the medical, nursing and admin staff have been working very hard to ensure all of our patients are seen within an appropriate timeframe,” Ms Hocking said.
“We also have two physician assistants, one of whom just started recently, which has meant that we have extra staff on the ground which does help.”
Physician assistants (PAs) are members of a clinical team who are educated at a university to work under the delegation of a supervising, registered medical practitioner. In Queensland public hospitals, physician assistants can prescribe medication and order pathology tests and x-rays.
Medical Superintendent Dr RT Lewandowski said there were a number of factors that had contributed to the Kingaroy Hospital’s good results.
“I think the focus on the time in the Emergency Unit is currently making a difference. Programs like the Emergency Unit Information System which highlight the times and colour code are certainly beneficial,” Dr Lewandowski said.
“Staff awareness has gone a long way to move this along as well. Our NEAT scores are regularly distributed and discussed so that staff are aware of our progress.
“Adding a nurse practitioner and an intern to our Emergency Unit staff has also improved our throughput, plus better planning with early lab and x-ray ordering, allowing for earlier diagnosis as well.
“Our Director of Nursing also meets regularly with the local Queensland Ambulance Service to help streamline our processes.”
In the September quarter, 1338 patients passed through Kingaroy Hospital’s Emergency Unit; 456 went through the Cherbourg unit.
