18 beds are expected to be added to TVRH ER-- Not sure how many beds overall for patients that are admitted including ICU. However- it is not just an ER busy--it is when the hospital is full the ER can't move--they have to go on diversion. Nurses can't take 5 patients in the ER and expect to handle more than that--even if they did have a small space to put an extra stretcher.
If ICU is full--the ER has to keep a very critical patient and most times keep the same number of patients--even though most ICU patients ratio to nurse is One nurse for two patients. Take into count-if someone is on a medical or cardiac floor and needs to be upgraded to ICU--they get the bed before the ER. Once patients are admitted to the hospital and move out of the ER, they do not return to the ER.
Currently it is a 24 bed facility (shall I say 24 rooms out of the hall). They also can have 8 hallway beds (I have seen people in the hall beds myself). Two triage rooms and they have a rapid admit area (people who don't need to be at the hospital see a Physician Assistant and discharged without going to a room in the back). Rapid runs I think 10am-10pm. Rapid is NOT an urgent care.
Only emergencies should go to the ER--it is not a clinic, urgent care or pediatrician checkup. They do not have Labor and Delivery and they do not have pediatrics. So- if someone comes in with a child under 18 if they are admitted they will be sent out--same with a person in labor (they will be shipped out very quick).
|