The Piedmont Henry emergency department saw a record number of patients in the month of March, eclipsing 8,800 encounters. It was a busy month, but it didn’t feel that way for staff members, patients or visitors because of some process improvements focused on seeing patients early and often.

“The process starts with a patient checking in with a nurse in the lobby and being triaged,” said Jason Tavel, Director of Emergency Services at Piedmont Henry. “This lets us catch things that might need immediate attention but also gives us a baseline for the reassessments that take place during their stay in the department.”

The department also started using a Rapid Assessment Zone for patients who are not likely to be admitted to the hospital, allowing them to be seen and discharged more quickly.

“There has been a great turnaround in the emergency department,” said Piedmont Henry CEO David Kent. “We are seeing the difference in the official data, but also anecdotally when we encounter people in the community. They can see the difference.”

This summer, Piedmont Henry is opening its new $212 Million expansion project. The difference will be even clearer as the patient rooms in the new tower continue to open. This will move people who need to be admitted for additional care into rooms much faster, meaning there will be more space for people to be seen and treated in the emergency department.

“From check-in to discharge, the efficiency and coordination were outstanding,” said Deshanna Lindsey, a recent patient having an allergic reaction. “We often hear about negative experiences or long wait times, but the positive experiences are sometimes overlooked. I am very appreciative of the excellent care I received.”

Piedmont Henry has also placed additional focus on trauma care. Over the past several years, the emergency department has been designated as a Level III Trauma Center and a Level III Pediatric Readiness Center.

“Any time that can be reduced in beginning trauma care, or transporting a patient to begin trauma care, can potentially lead to better outcomes,” said Kent. “The work we have done to earn these designations makes positive differences in countless lives.”

While the team at Piedmont Henry is proud of all the improvements in the emergency department, they realize that most people would rather not have to ever go. In fact, summer can be a season that brings a lot of people in with people spending more time outside.

“Heat exhaustion is something we tend to see a lot of in the summer,” said James Ellis, DO, medical director of the emergency department. “People should be sure to stay hydrated, wear appropriate clothing and sunscreen, and take breaks from being in the heat. If someone starts showing signs of heat illness, dizziness, fast heart rate, low blood pressure, swelling in arms or legs, bring them in so we can ensure that hydration, circulation, and breathing improve.”

Other issues common in the summer include injuries and accidents in the water (always supervise younger and less experienced swimmers), snake bites (please don’t bring the snake with you), food poisoning (make sure food is cooked and stored properly), and broken bones (wear protective gear on bikes and skateboards).

“Our emergency department is always open to all who need treatment,” said Dr. Ellis. “If you’re unsure if it’s an emergency, we can provide a medical screening exam and stabilizing treatment.”

For more information on emergency services at Piedmont Henry, visit piedmont.org.

By Michael Boylan