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Prioritisation in A & E

Story from nhs.uk

"Prioritisation in A & E"

About: Russells Hall Hospital

Arrived at A&E with chest pain/discomfort, seen for ECG almost immediately then seen by Triage nurse at approx 50 minute point. Waited further 1.5 hours with lots of others who arrived after me being seen in main A&E and sent home before I was even taken through then taken through to be sat on a seat in a cubicle main dept without a trolley. Seen by a delightful junior doctor eventually who took bloods. Admitted to the next dept after approx 4 hours and 10 mins and there begins another story !

It seriously concerns me that patients with chest pain/discomfort are not prioritised over those with minor ailments.

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Responses

Response from Russells Hall Hospital 9 years ago
Russells Hall Hospital

Submitted on 05/05/2016 at 18:05
Published on nhs.uk on 06/05/2016 at 02:30

Thank you for taking the time to post your feedback about our Accident and Emergency Department. We are sorry to hear you were disappointed with the care you received.

Patients arriving at A&E with chest pain are always prioritised according to strict clinical guidelines which states that an ECG must be completed within 15 minutes of arrival to either identify or rule out a cardiac event (heart attack).

From what you have told us, we can see that you were in fact prioritised and received an ECG almost immediately.

If a heart attack is ruled out, patients will join the normal emergency queue and be assessed to see how urgently they need to be seen. This ensures patients are seen in order of clinical priority and not in order of arrival i.e. the sickest patients with urgent, time-critical conditions will be seen first.

In line with national guidance, we aim to see, treat, admit or discharge 95 per cent of patients within four hours of arrival at A&E.

We have passed your feedback on to the lead nurse for A&E so she can share your comments with her team.

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