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HouseCall • Find a physician: 866-683-DOCS
THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
(ED)
at CHRISTUS Hospital
–
St. Elizabeth is
new and improved, and the benefits are
already clear. Wait times have decreased,
and patient satisfaction rates are higher
than ever.
“Everything we did and continue to do
for this project is to make the flow better
for patients,” says Tara Holder, APRN,
ENP/FNP, clinical operations coordina-
tor for Schumacher Group/CHRISTUS
Hospital
–
St. Elizabeth, St. Mary and
Jasper Memorial Hospital.
Among the changes making it easier
to deliver a higher standard of healthcare
are new triage and rapid assessment sys-
tems. These reduce wait times and mean
both a provider and a nurse see patients
faster. In fact, the length of time from
when you walk in to when you are seen
has been reduced by about half.
“It’s a great improvement for patient
safety,” says Vicky Clark, RN, BSN, BC,
division director of Emergency Services,
Trauma Services and Nursing Informatics
at St. Elizabeth. “Getting patients seen
quickly helps us make the best decision
about their care.”
Right from the start
The renovation is part of St. Elizabeth’s
long-standing commitment to emergency
care. The ED is the only level III trauma
center in the area. It is also a designated
stroke center, certified chest pain center
and cardiac alert center.
“We have a very good medical staff, and
we take good care of our patients,” says
Herman Gerhardt, MD, ED medical direc-
tor. “This helps us to do so more efficiently.
I’m gratified that we get this chance to
further improve care for our patients.”
Phase 1
New walk-in entrance off 14th Street for a calmer atmosphere.
Convenient surface-level parking so you don’t have to walk
over from the garage.
More assessment areas for quicker treatment.
Internal waiting room so you can relax while lab or test results
are prepared.
Phase 2
Updated ambulance entrance off North Street for targeted,
faster care.
More treatment rooms for shorter wait times.
Phase 3
Cosmetic upgrades, such as painting and lighting, for a more
pleasant environment.
Updated nurses’ station so staff can care for you in a more
timely manner.
All in good time:
Improved emergency care
New ED walk-
in entrance
If you’re trying to get to the
CHRISTUS Hospital – St. Elizabeth
emergency department, please
note that the walk-in entrance
is now on 14th Street. The North
Street entrance is for ambu-
lances only.
Herman
Gerhardt, MD
Tara Holder,
APRN, ENP/
FNP
3 phases to better care
1
2
3
The
emergency
department
is as much
the front
door to the
hospital as
anything
else, so it’s
important
to have an
effective,
patient-
friendly
system.