central texas hospitals have implemented strategies to reduce the time between cardiac patients checking into an emergency department and checking out, an effort prompted by recent studies that indicate faster care improves survival rates, the austin american-statesman reports. according to the american-statesman, hospitals "are looking at new technology and staff adjustments to speed the process [of treating ed patients] and improve patient satisfaction" in response to increasing numbers of people seeking emergency care and a rise in competition among hospitals. jared mabery, ed medical director at st. david's georgetown hospital, said that the hospital has attempted to improve efficiency by installing more cardiac monitors in patient rooms so hospital workers can monitor patients remotely while treating others. the hospital also has reduced by at least 25 minutes the time it takes to test a blood sample for a cardiac enzyme by using a bedside machine. richard easterling, ed director of nursing at the seton northwest hospital in austin, said the hospital more than two years ago implemented the e.r. express program, which identifies patients with minor injuries and illnesses and directs them to separate physicians and treatment rooms. easterling said that the program reduces wait times for all ed patients and estimated wait times for the hospital's ed were half that of other eds. at johns community hospital in taylor, patient satisfaction has improved since the hospital changed check-in procedures and began providing patients instructions while they wait to be discharged, according to ed nurse manager vangie barefoot (ogle, austin american-statesman, 11/27).
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