Methodist celebrates accomplishment
BY CHAS REILLY
creilly@nwitimes.com
219.662.5324 | Sunday, January 27, 2008 | No comments posted.
Even with an increase in patients since last year, Methodist Hospitals' two facilities have gone more than 15 months without having to send emergency patients to other hospitals.
"They're doing a great job," said Dr. Michael McGee, chief of emergency medicine at Methodist. "Everybody has stepped up to the plate."
Hospitals go on bypass when there are not sufficient beds or staff available to treat emergency patients. The hospital notifies area emergency medical services to consider transporting patients who are not in critical condition to other hospitals with more available beds.
Since last year, Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus in Gary has seen a 9 percent increase in emergency patients, and the Southlake Campus in Merrillville has had a 3 percent increase, hospital officials said.
The Methodist campuses have not gone on bypass during that time but have had some backups, in part caused by other hospitals being on bypass, McGee said.
McGee said a new system dubbed "Code Purple" has contributed to Methodists' success in avoiding bypass.
He said the system notifies the entire hospital of the number of patients waiting for care while hospital staff work to free space for emergency patients.
"It's a collaborative effort from everyone," McGee said.
There also are new procedures to check patients waiting for emergency care, he said.
McGee said depending on a patient's condition, a nurse may take X-rays or schedule an EKG for a waiting patient.
He said having the results in hand once a bed becomes available helps doctors make immediate decisions.
"It's a good technique," McGee said.
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