Fast Track Service Begins at Exeter Hospital Emergency Department

“Fast Track” For Minor Emergency Care Now Available at Exeter Hospital

EXETER - As part of Exeter Hospital’s continuing efforts to improve emergency services, the Emergency Department (ED) is now offering a “Fast Track” service for minor emergency care.  Fast Track is available for patients seven days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Some of the more common conditions that can be treated via the Fast Track service include stitches, eye/ear/tooth pain, colds and flu, sprains/fractures/dislocations and head injuries/concussions.

Patients will continue to be triaged as they check in to the Emergency Department.  Those with more serious symptoms will be seen in the regular Emergency Department, while those with less acuity will be seen in the Fast Track area.  Patients in Fast Track have access to the full ED and hospital services should their condition worsen.
“Building on the success of our Physician First program, our goal by implementing Fast Track is to further improve wait times for our patients and their families,” said Roger Bailey, RN, Director of Emergency Services.

Physician First involves placing a care team, including a physician, nurse and paramedic, in the check‐in area during peak volume times to triage patients as they arrive. The team is able to immediately start IVs, order blood tests, and order and dispense medications before the patient is even brought into an exam room.  Fast Track will now speed the admitting process even further by helping to reduce wait times for patients with minor illnesses and injuries.

“Since partnering with our new physician group, Emergency Medicine Physicians (EMP) last year, our focus has been to continue to deliver quality care but with greater efficiency, all in an effort to increase patient satisfaction,” Roger said.

 Wendy DeMartino, MD, MD, FACEP, EMP Director, understands the frustration patients experience when they come to the Emergency Department and have to wait an extended period to be seen.  “Our patients are anxious because they are not feeling well, and they just want to feel better,” she said. “Our goal is to get them in to be seen faster so we can thoroughly assess their symptoms and treat them appropriately.  Physician First was the first step in improving efficiency in the ED and now Fast Track is continuing this ongoing process.”

About Exeter Hospital

Exeter Hospital is a community-based hospital that serves residents from 38 towns in New Hampshire’s Seacoast Region. The hospital and its affiliates employ 2,300 area residents and provide millions of dollars annually for community benefits. The hospital has been recognized by Healthgrades with the Outstanding Patient Experience Award in 2014 for the sixth time and was named in the top 5 percent of hospitals nationwide in this category.  For more information, visit exeterhospital.com or call (603) 580-6668.