Hanover Hospital’s new Nurse Practitioner (NP) is helping fast track patients in its emergency department in the face of increased patient volumes.
The Hanover District Hospital (HDH) says over the last few years, they have faced unprecedented patient volumes in all areas of the hospital, which has created significant overcapacity challenges. It has seen an increase of 19 per cent in patient volumes in the emergency department over the previous year, and 35 per cent from pre-pandemic levels.
Additionally, the hospital says the acuity has increased by 21.2 per cent from last year, and nearly 40 per cent from pre-pandemic levels.
HDH says they have been working with the Ministry of Heath and Ontario Heath West to address the increase in demand for service, and was able to secure funding to support initiatives and support those who do not have a family physician.
HDH says it introduced an NP to the emergency department in August last year, and the result has been significant on patient flow and care delivery.
“HDH has utilized the NP to operate a fast track which essentially is an approach to manage patients who are admitted to the emergency department with non-emergent complaints so that they can be treated and discharged more quickly. It prevents ‘bottle necking; of patients and helps manage the patient flow of the department. In turn, it allows the physician to concentrate on more acute and medically unstable patients,” says the hospital in a release.
It adds the NP has been the care provider for 15 per cent of overall emergency department visits since the introduction of this role in late August.
Chief of Emergency Dr. Marc Labelle says, “the introduction of a NP to the emergency department has been very positively received by both staff and physicians, but most importantly by patients. Patients are very pleased with their care from the NP. The position certainly bring benefits in addressing patient volumes and flow challenges and allows physicians to centre their care on more urgent patients presenting to the emergency department.”
The funding received by the hospital to bring on the NP is set to expire by the end of March, 2023 and is taking measures and working with Ontario Health West to ensure the funding continues.
HDH adds it has implemented other resources through the one-time funding, including hiring additional Personal Support Workers, supports in patient registration, ward clerk and environmental services coverage, as well as expanding diagnostic imaging coverage.
President and CEO Dana Howes says NP’s have advanced education and are highly skilled to care independently for patients.
“I strongly believe that nurse practitioners have a significant role in addressing the capacity issues of the health system in Ontario – especially in emergency departments. NP’s are a resource that we need to be using more,” says Howes.
