Time is on Your Side at Carolinas Hospital System’s ER

Florence, SC (May 31, 2012) - When you’re experiencing a health care emergency, the last thing you want to do is wait. Emergency medicine is about three things: compassion, skilled care and speed. Carolinas Hospital System knows the importance of prompt service – especially in the emergency room (ER). “That’s why Carolinas Hospital System  has launched a 45-Minute ER Service Pledge – to assure patients that we are dedicated not only to offering the best quality care, but also to providing that care as efficiently and quickly as possible,” said Darcy Craven, Chief Operating Officer - Interim CEO of Carolinas Hospital System. 

“While the goal of Carolinas Hospital System’s ER pledge is to work diligently to initially see every patient within 45 minutes, the most critical health emergencies will always receive top priority,” said Dr. William Cauthen, Jr., ER Medical Director / Chief of Staff.

The hospital records and monitors many ER indicators as part of its ongoing quality improvement process.  “One of the items we track is patient wait times in the ER to determine how efficiently we triage patients and get them to a  clinical professional for initial evaluation and treatment,” said Craven. “I’m pleased to report that the vast majority of patients at Carolinas Hospital System’s ER were already being seen within 45 minutes of their arrival time.” 

“We believe the 45-Minute ER Service Pledge will distinguish us from other health care providers in the area, and underline our commitment to the people who live and work in the Pee Dee Region,” he said.

“While we are committed to prompt and appropriate care for our ER patients, the 45-Minute ER Pledge should not be misinterpreted as an effort to rush patients though the ER,” he adds. “Our process improvements focus on getting ER patients into a treatment room as quickly as possible, enabling our clinical professionals to see a patient and begin the process of diagnoses and treatment in a timely manner.”

The community can view Carolinas Hospital System’s average ER wait time - based on a weekly average, on the internet at CarolinasHospital.com.