New Triage Queuing System in the Emergency Department

CCH has recently installed an electronic numbered queuing system in the Emergency Department for the triaging process. When arriving, patients will see a touch screen where they are asked a few preliminary questions. A ticket is issued and in turn, the patient is placed in a virtual line. This allows the patient to have a seat, knowing that their number is in the queue to be called and seen by the triage nurse.

Once seated, the patient will see the number displayed on the television screens and an audio announcement will be made to call the patient. This is alleviating the line up at the triage desk which provides a more comfortable wait for patients. “A line up in front of you can be daunting, this numbering process is beneficial for both the patient and the triage nurses,” explains Ginette Ferguson, Senior Director of the Operating Room and Emergency Department.

When the triage staff is ready, they have a button to press at their station that cues the next number on the screen.
Since the relocation of the Emergency Department in the newly constructed West Addition in 2013, the Emergency Department has seen an increase of visits to just under 60,000 in the last fiscal year (ending March 31, 2015). This improvement to the process is creating a better flow, and improved patient comfort.