Trainee Advanced Practitioner and streaming sister, Catherine Hey, assesses a patient’s symptoms before directing to the appropriate service
Visitors to Blackpool Victoria Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) are being diverted to the correct service thanks to a new streaming service.
Once patients have been booked in by a receptionist on arrival, they are then assessed by a senior nurse and directed to the most suitable department.
The scheme was introduced by ED sister, Jodie Bradford. She said: “I recently introduced the streaming nurse system to try and prevent people being in ED inappropriately and so far we are making an impact.”
Through an assessment, the streaming nurse will direct visitors to Urgent Care (for urgent medical care that is not life-threatening, Ambulatory Care (a service which offers same day emergency care to patients without being admitted to a bed, where possible) or the Emergency Department waiting room where nursing staff can watch for any deterioration in a patient’s condition and be ready to act, ensuring patient safety.
Emergency Department Matron, Sue Roberts, said: “This is an important improvement to patients as they see a nurse at the front door of the ED. This improves the quality and safety of all patients.
Jodie added: “We have had a lot of support for the system from both patients and staff and even from other Trusts. We are also having a positive effect on waiting times within the ED.”