By: Donna McTeague, Communications Advisor , Lakeridge Health
To help improve the patient experience in the Emergency Department (ED), Lakeridge Health has launched an online ED Wait Times Tracker. This new tool provides patients with an approximate wait time to see a physician in any one of Lakeridge Health's four EDs at the Ajax Pickering, Bowmanville, Oshawa, and Port Perry Hospitals.
Available on Lakeridge Health's website at lh.ca, the data in this web-based tool is refreshed every 15 minutes and is based on an estimate that is calculated using the last four hours of data.
“Many people have requested this service, and we are proud to now be able to deliver this new tool that will help to enhance the patient experience," said Dr. Ilan Lenga, Chief Information Officer and Chief Medical Information Officer, Lakeridge Health. “While the new tool doesn't solve the critical staffing shortages and high patient volumes, it enables patients and their loved ones with wait times to see a doctor or nurse practitioner and, in some cases, to make a decision about which emergency department is the best option."
“Pinpointing the exact amount of time a person will wait to see a doctor in the ED is complex," explained Dr. Michael Howlett, Chief of Emergency Department, Lakeridge Health. “While the ED Wait Times Tracker provides an approximate wait time based on an estimate, providing this information to people will help to ease some of the distress, discomfort, and anxiety that is associated with coming into a hospital."
The time it takes for a patient to be seen by a physician in the ED is often impacted by staffing and the volume and acuity of patients. The sickest people, those who are experiencing life-threatening incidents or trauma or have been in serious accidents, are seen first.
“ED wait times continue to be a focus for many people in our community," said Cynthia Davis, President and CEO, Lakeridge Health. “Though our wait times remain longer than usual, I'm so grateful and proud of the tireless effort, compassion, and dedication shown by our Lakeridge Health teams. Despite tremendous pressures, our staff and physicians continue to work quickly and efficiently to provide care to all patients."
The new ED Wait Times Tracker is part of Lakeridge Health's commitment to revitalize the EDs and improve the patient experience.