Quality care for less serious complaints – In order to meet the community’s healthcare needs, Clearfield Hospital expanded its emergency department in November 2007. The new Fast Track service, adjacent to the main emergency department, is designed to quickly and effectively treat people with less serious illnesses and injuries to minimize their time in the emergency department. Here, Dr. Mark R. Shaw, medical director of the emergency department, examines Steven Smith of Clearfield, who recently injured his hand.

Fast Track hours are noon until 10 p.m. every day. The staff has the flexibility to open the service earlier or remain open later based on patient volume.

He continued to hunt, but as the day wore on, the pain intensified and his ankle became swollen. Shortly after arriving home, his wife urged him to go to Clearfield Hospital's Emergency Department.

“It wasn't a serious injury, so I went to the hospital knowing it might be a few hours before I'd be seen. I know the emergency department has to take care of the most critically ill and injured first,” Mr. Dotts said.

Much to his surprise, within minutes after registering, he was escorted to the hospital's new Fast Track service, adjacent to the main emergency department, where physician's assistant Jennifer Southern examined his ankle and ordered X-rays.

Fortunately for Mr. Dotts, his ankle wasn't broken, but he needed a splint to stabilize it while it healed.

The duration of Mr. Dotts' visit – from registration to discharge – took about an hour.

“I was extremely pleased. The process was smooth and each person I came in contact with was kind and professional. Fast Track is wonderful,” he said.

What is Fast Track?

Mr. Dotts is one of more than 900 patients cared for by the Fast Track staff since the service opened Nov. 15, 2007. The five-bed emergency setting is designed to provide medical care to patients presenting with minor illnesses and injuries. The service complements the hospital's main emergency department.

Dr. Mark R. Shaw, emergency department medical director, said the catalyst for Fast Track was a significant increase in the number of patients seeking emergency care.

“We had to do something to ease crowding and waiting times for patients. Fast Track allows for all patients to receive treatment more quickly and efficiently, and that treatment is backed up by the full range of services offered by our emergency department,” he said.

Dr. Shaw said since Fast Track opened, the time for an emergency department visit for patients with minor medical conditions has been reduced from approximately 3 1/2 hours to about an hour and a half.

“Of course, that time might vary depending on the type of diagnostic tests needed, but we are making progress in terms of efficiency and increased patient satisfaction,” Dr. Shaw said.

A Team Effort

Monica Smith, RN, emergency department manager, said Fast Track's success is a team effort – many departments come together to care for patients.

“We couldn't do what we do without support from the hospital's ancillary services,” she said.

Fast Track hours are noon until 10 p.m. every day. The staff has the flexibility to open the service earlier or remain open later based on patient volume.

Dr. Shaw said the hospital's senior management team and board of directors supported the Fast Track concept. State Sen. Joseph B. Scarnati, R-25, Brockway, secured a grant in the amount of $100,000 to offset renovation costs.