A local health system has created a new path for patients to get access to timely care.
The new Rapid Referral Service will connect eligible emergency room patients with Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) internists, who will staff a community-based clinic.
"This initiative is about ensuring patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time," said WRH President and CEO Kristin Kennedy. "When patients require prompt specialist follow-up but do not need a hospital bed, we can now connect them directly to expert care in the community. Patients and families leave the Emergency Department with certainty about their next steps, while helping preserve hospital resources for those who require inpatient care."
The objective is to improve patient flow and wait times in the emergency department by referring patients who are well enough to leave the hospital, but still need some form of care, to the Urgent Medicine Clinic at 2464 Howard Avenue, Suite 202.
Emergency department staff will issue appointment cards to these patients with the goal of having an appointment within 24 hours, or on a Monday following a weekend emergency room visit.
Referrals began on Wednesday, with the first appointments scheduled for Thursday.
