30 Minute ER Pledge
What exactly is the 30-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge?
When patients enter the Emergency Department at Dallas Regional Medical
Center, the time of their arrival will be noted. Our pledge is that a
clinical professional (physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner)
will work diligently to have our patients initially seen within 30 minutes
of their noted arrival.
Does this mean patients will be on their way home in 30 minutes or less?
No. We will work hard to have a clinical professional initially see our
patients and begin their evaluation and treatment within 30 minutes of
their noted arrival. Depending on the nature of their illness or injury,
and the unpredictable volume of patients requiring emergency care at any
given time, the wait time and duration of each visit will vary.
How is the timeframe of patients' visits documented for this pledge?
When a patient arrives and checks in, the time of arrival will be noted.
When the clinical professional initially sees the patient, the time will
be documented by the Emergency Department staff.
Is a 30-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge really necessary for an emergency room?
In many emergency rooms across the country, wait times have been increasing.
We want to assure our patients that we are dedicated to not only offering
quality care but also to working diligently to provide that care as efficiently
as possible.
When do the 30 minutes officially start?
The 30 minutes start when the patient checks in with our staff at the Emergency
Room desk.
Does the 30-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge affect how patients are prioritized?
While the goal is to initially see every patient within 30 minutes of their
noted arrival, the most severe cases will always receive immediate attention.
How can the Emergency Department maintain quality care if speed is the priority?
It is not our objective now, nor will it ever be, to "rush" patients
through the Emergency Department. Our process improvements have been focused
on getting patients into a room as quickly as possible and enabling the
clinical professional to initially see a patient and begin their diagnosis
and treatment in a timely manner.
Is the 30-Minutes-or-Less ER Service Pledge in effect at all times and
does it apply to all ages - infants to senior citizens?
Yes.
Do I have to wait up to 30 minutes for someone to say, "May I help
you?"
Absolutely not. Emergency Department staff will greet you as soon as you
come in, and a nurse will assess your condition through a triage process.
We know your time is valuable and we pledge to work diligently to have
a clinical professional initially see you within 30 minutes of your noted arrival.
Does this cost more?
No.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
The Emergency Department (ED) average wait time is provided as an informational
service to the public. It is approximate, and based on a rolling average
that is updated four times an hour and does not represent the actual current
activity in the ER waiting room.
The ED wait time represents the time it takes from arrival until a patient
is initially seen by a Clinical Professional (Physician, Physician Assistant
or Advanced Practice Nurse). Patients are triaged upon their arrival in
the ED. They are then seen by a Clinical Professional in an order based
on their complaint, condition, and the reason for their visit.
While many patients are initially seen by a clinical professional within
30 minutes of their arrival, during some peak times when the number of
patients and/or trauma situations exceeds the number of providers or beds,
some patients are not initially seen within 30 minutes of their noted arrival.
Should you have any additional questions about the 30-Minutes-or-Less ER
Service Pledge, please ask any of our Emergency Department staff.