MidHudson Regional Hospital Renovates Emergency Department Fast Track to Expedite Care of Minor Injuries and Illnesses

MidHudson Regional Hospital has long been recognized as the area's leader in caring for the Hudson Valley's most critically ill and injured, but it is also provides elite care to all members of the community, even those with comparatively minor ailments.  To help treat these patients faster and more efficiently, MidHudson Regional has renovated the Fast Track  inside the emergency department.  Fast Track is a separate, specialized space with dedicated staffing to treat patients not in need of emergent care.  This renovation ensures nearly all patients will see a doctor in 30 minutes or less.

"When a patient enters the emergency department, their condition is assessed in a process called triage.  The patients with the most serious need, a heart attack, for example, are given priority treatment," said Christopher Howard, Nursing Director of MidHudson Regional Hospital's Emergency Department.  "Before the renovation of Fast Track, that meant patients with less severe complaints could experience higher wait times.  Now, we can get them in and out significantly faster."

"When a patient is directed to Fast Track to receive care, they'll experience an efficient station-to-station approach for treatment," said Mark Papish, MD, Medical Director, Emergency Medicine, at MidHudson Regional Hospital.  "Patients will be given an initial exam, we'll take x-rays, process lab work, evaluate and treat the patient, and then discharge them, all without that patient ever leaving the separate Fast Track urgent care area."

Studies of the affect that several similar Fast Track setups had on patients have shown significantly reduced wait times and faster discharge.  One published by the National Institute of Health found that a Fast Track reduced the length-of-stay for a "less urgent" patient by 35%.  Fast Tracks also benefit patients requiring emergency care, as more beds and medical professionals are available to treat them.  The same NIH study reported a 10% decrease in length-of-stay for those needing critical treatment.

"Whether you're critically ill or injured, or just suffering from the bumps and bruises of life, MidHudson Regional Hospital is equipped to deliver the best and most efficient emergency care in the area," Howard said.  "We have the people and processes in place to treat everyone quickly and effectively."