A new off-load nurse at TDMH could mean faster ambulance turnaround and earlier care for patients
When an ambulance arrives at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital, the paramedics’ job isn’t necessarily finished.
During busy periods in the emergency department, patients may have to remain on the ambulance stretcher while waiting for a space in the hospital and a nurse to take over their care. That can leave an ambulance crew tied up at the hospital instead of being available for the next emergency call.TDMH is hoping a dedicated off-load nurse can help change that. The hospital has received one-time funding for a two-year initiative that will put a registered practical nurse in a dedicated off-load role. Two ambulance off-load spaces have also been created for the program.
April Mullen, Chief Nursing Executive and Vice President of Clinical Services at TDMH, says the hospital already has some experience with the approach.
That previous trial showed the potential to dramatically reduce the amount of time paramedics spend waiting to transfer care.
For patients, the change is about more than getting the ambulance back on the road.
Instead of waiting for a regular emergency department nurse to become available, patients in the dedicated off-load area will have a nurse assigned to them, with earlier assessment and ongoing monitoring.
Mullen says the primary goal is to reduce the time ambulance crews spend waiting to transfer care, but the approach can also help improve patient flow through the emergency department and provide patients with a safe place to receive care while they wait for a regular emergency department space.
The new role is expected to be in place by early October, with TDMH tracking ambulance off-load times, emergency department capacity and patient experience throughout the two-year funding period.
And that could mean a very different experience for both patients and paramedics when an ambulance pulls into TDMH.
