IMPROVED EMERGENCY CARE THROUGH “SMART” PATIENT TRACKING SYSTEM

A new Smart State patient tracking system will help improve the efficiency of Queensland’s busy public hospital emergency departments, Premier Peter Beattie said today.

“The Emergency Department Information System (EDIS) tracks a patient’s condition, treatment and movement through an emergency department so clinicians can treat them in a smarter, more efficient manner,” Mr Beattie said.

“This will help hospitals better manage clinician workloads which, in turn, may result in reduced waiting times for patients and improved patient flows through emergency departments.

“The system was developed in Queensland by clinicians working in our emergency departments.

“Queensland Health has already introduced EDIS in 13 major hospitals and another six hospitals will have the system installed over the next six months.”

Mr Beattie said Queensland public hospitals treat more than 3,500 emergency department patients every day – and this number is growing almost every month.

“That’s a large number of people moving through our public hospitals in a short period of time which impacts heavily on how our hospitals focus their clinical staffing and resources.

“Emergency Departments can be very busy places, so keeping information up-to-date on where patients are, what their condition is, and what treatment they have received is critical.

“This highlighted the need for a new software database that can better manage and report on activities in our emergency departments.

“The new system has a map of the emergency department that shows what bed the patient is in as well as information on the patient’s condition and precisely what treatment has been administered at any time of the day.

“Importantly, when an ambulance arrives at an emergency department, the allocation of beds is made easier with the touch of a button revealing the map that shows what treatment bays are free,” he said.

“When patients are transferred from other hospitals or general practices the system quickly inputs the patient name, date of birth, and condition, to allow emergency staff to prepare for that patient’s arrival.”

Mr Beattie said having an up-to-date record of patient treatment available on the system would be invaluable to clinicians.

“It means doctors and nurses can keep detailed records of treatment more efficiently and easily, without having to find time well after the event to write up notes.

“It also means they can get on with the job of treating patients,” he said.

The EDIS system already operates at Townsville, Mackay, Mount Isa, Royal Brisbane and Women’s, Princess Alexandra, QEII, Toowoomba and Gold Coast Hospitals and has recently been introduced in Ipswich, Redlands, Bundaberg, Caboolture and Cairns.

Rockhampton, Hervey Bay, Nambour, Redcliffe, Royal Children’s and Logan hospitals will come online by the middle of 2007.

Contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500

                Paul Lynch 0417 728676

1 January 2006