Health
Update on AED Response to Patient Surge, Expect Extended Wait Times
The Accident and Emergency Department medical team is addressing a surge in patient volume with improved wait times. Contact PALS for initial assessment and advice. Updates provided during surge period.
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Originally published by barbadostoday.bb (opens in new tab)
The medical team in the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) has been working tirelessly in response to the surge in the number of patients presenting for treatment with various medical complaints.
At midnight Sunday, approximately 26 patients were waiting to be seen, down from 71 patients recorded at midnight Saturday at the height of the surge. At 7 a.m., 11 patients were waiting to be seen in the department. While the average wait time is still longer than ideal, there has been significant improvement in AED in this regard.
We continue to encourage members of the public to use the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS/Help Desk) at 536-4800 as a first point of contact using regular or WhatsApp calls. From 9 a.m. to midnight during the current surge, our doctors will be able to give an initial assessment and provide advice on your next course of action for treatment.
We do expect the surge may continue until Wednesday, March 27 2024, when the 24-hour Winston Scott Polyclinic at Jemmotts Lane, St. Michael, is scheduled to reopen. A reminder, life-threatening conditions, under the AED’s Triage System
will continue to be seen and treated immediately. These include patients who for example, have life, limb or sight-threatening complaints, gunshot wounds, heart attacks, active seizure activity or a patient who needs resuscitation.
Other individuals who present to AED during the current surge will experience an extended wait for treatment.
Regular updates will be provided during the surge. Management apologises for the inconvenience, as the AED team works to reduce waiting times and offer the best possible care and treatment. (PR)
