Page 3736 - Week 10 - Thursday, 19 September 2019
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In 2019, Canberra Hospital Emergency Department has been on ambulance bypass on three occasions:
• 20 May 2019 (2 hours only);
• 1 July 2019 (30 minutes only); and
• 14-15 August 2019 (4 hours only).
It is important to note that only stable patients that meet clinically appropriate criteria are diverted. Paediatric patients, those with life threatening emergencies, and trauma patients are always taken directly to Canberra Hospital. ACT Ambulance Service never bypass a hospital during a life-threatening emergency.
Canberra Hospital—emergency department bypass
Ms Stephen-Smith (in reply to a question and a supplementary question by Mrs Dunne and Mr Coe on Tuesday, 20 August 2019):
(1) There was no obvious cause for the surge in admissions other than usual seasonal fluctuations. It is not uncommon for health systems across the nation to face periods of increased demand, which is why Canberra Health Services (CHS) has clear processes in place to ensure the best possible ongoing care for all consumers.
(2) The number of beds that may need to be placed in the ED corridor is variable and is dependent on ED presentations and patient flow across the system. Canberra Health Services does everything it can to avoid the use of corridors in the ED and is actively working to cease this occurring at all.
If there is a necessity for patients in the Canberra Hospital Emergency Department (ED) to be placed in the corridor due to excessive demand, the ED staffs over and above the core staffing level to ensure the safety of all patients.
Canberra Hospital—emergency department bypass
Ms Stephen-Smith (in reply to a supplementary question by Mrs Dunne on Tuesday, 20 August 2019):
(1) There were 88 patients discharged from the Canberra Hospital Emergency Department (ED) following treatment between 10pm on 14 August 2019 and 6am on 15 August 2019. This is a usual number for this time period.
No patients were discharged from inpatient wards during these hours.
Canberra Hospital—emergency department bypass
Ms Stephen-Smith (in reply to a supplementary question by Mrs Dunne on Tuesday, 20 August 2019):
(1) Canberra Health Services is unable to provide the data at this time as it has not yet been invoiced for patients transferred to National Capital Private Hospital on 14 August 2019.
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