Health Authority Seeks Digital Tool to Send Emergency Department Patients to Other Care Options
Published
Te Whatu Ora, the New Zealand public health agency, is looking for a digital tool that could help reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments (EDs). The proposed system would allow ED staff to search for other healthcare providers that are available to treat patients. Staff could also check waiting times at urgent care clinics, so that people with less serious conditions can be directed to the most suitable place for care.
Emergency departments across New Zealand are often very busy, and patients can wait a long time to be seen. When a patient does not need hospital-level treatment, staff may want to send them to another service, such as an urgent care clinic or a general practice. A tool that shows which services have space and how long the waits are could help staff make these decisions more quickly.
The details of the project, including when it might start and how much it might cost, were not included in the information available at the time of writing. Te Whatu Ora has not yet confirmed which technology provider will be chosen. Readers who want more information can check the agency's official website for updates on this project.
Sources: Healthcare IT News
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