{"id":4086,"date":"2015-10-15T08:00:50","date_gmt":"2015-10-15T13:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bestofswla.com\/?p=4086"},"modified":"2015-10-15T08:41:52","modified_gmt":"2015-10-15T13:41:52","slug":"high-power-ers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bestofswla.com\/2015\/10\/15\/high-power-ers\/","title":{"rendered":"HIGH POWER ERs"},"content":{"rendered":"
AREA EMERGENCY ROOMS STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE<\/strong><\/p>\n BY BRAD GOINS<\/em><\/p>\n Most of us are mightily challenged just to understand the basic workings of the health care system in everyday situations. Regardless of how you feel about U.S. health care, you almost certainly don’t feel that it’s simple.<\/p>\n Given the inherent complexity of the health care system, it would take an astonishing feat of intellect to imagine what changes it might go through as an economic boom moves into the area.<\/p>\n But suppose we simplified matters by looking only at one particular health care area: emergency rooms?<\/p>\n After all, as construction work in the Lake Area increases daily, we can only assume that construction-related injuries will increase as well. If we can pinpoint what local ERs are doing to prepare for this situation, perhaps we’ll wind up with a health care situation that’s not too big to understand \u2014 and also one that’s very pertinent to the near future of the Lake Area.<\/p>\n At this early date, all local emergency rooms are seeing increases in the number of patients. At some hospitals, increases are much more marked than at others.<\/p>\n One factor in the rate of patient traffic is the proximity of the ER to major local construction projects. “We’ve already seen an increasing number of patients,” says a local hospital spokesperson. Although some of the increase may be to the ending of emergency services at Moss Regional, local ERs are also seeing patients related to the new construction projects coming in.<\/p>\n <\/a>Changes At Memorial<\/strong><\/p>\n ERs not quite so close to the center of the action seem to be anticipating major changes down the line and, as far as this writer can tell, are making major changes to prepare for the inevitable influx of new ER patients.<\/p>\n For instance, Memorial Hospital is doubling the size of its emergency room. The intensive care unit will also be doubled; it will accommodate twice as many patients as it did before.<\/p>\n Another part of the expansion project is the complete revamping of two trauma rooms.<\/p>\n The bottom line, says Memorial’s Matt Selder, is that Memorial’s ER “will have more rooms for care.”<\/p>\n This massive expansion project is in its second year. It’s anticipated that the work will be completed by the end of 2015.<\/p>\n Part of the project is the construction of the hospital’s new building on Nelson Road. At the beginning, this building will feature family and internal medicine. Diagnostic medicine will be added later.<\/p>\n The ER at Memorial Hospital will expand and streamline its use of the Fast Track system. The system works in such a way that if there is a rush of ER patients, those with less serious conditions are treated as quickly as possible, thus freeing up bed space and nurses and doctors for more serious cases. Such a system could be a great boon if the ER winds up seeing a good number of patients with serious injuries related to construction.<\/p>\n The number of Fast Track stations in Memorial’s ER will increase from two to four.<\/p>\n As one would expect, these expansions will mean more of everything in the ER \u2014 including more jobs. Selder says there will be increased hiring of RNs.<\/p>\n New Lines For New Injuries<\/strong><\/p>\n Lake Area Medical Center (LAMC) is a full-service acute care hospital located off Interstate 210 and Nelson Road. As any Lake Charles driver knows, Nelson Road is one of the most highly traveled roads in Lake Charles. Whethe<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n r it’s the ever-increasing traffic; the boom; or both, over the past five years, Lake Area Medical Center has experienced a steady increase in ER use.<\/p>\n \u201cSince last year alone, we’ve already seen an 11 percent increase in the number of patients seeking emergency care at LAMC,\u201d says Bryan S. Bateman, CEO at Lake Area Medical. \u201cWe believe we will continue to experience an upward growth in our ER service line as new business, construction projects and families relocate to Southwest Louisiana.\u201d<\/p>\n In preparation for the population surge, Lake Area Medical has launched new service lines \u2014 including cardiology and, in particular, wound care. These lines are designed According to Bateman, \u201cWhile the type and nature of injuries we see in our ER may change over the next few years; we feel fortunate to have the processes and experienced staff in place to ensure a fast triage and a rapid ‘door to doc\u2019 time.\u00a0 We believe service to the customer will always be a key driver for our business, and that is never more true than to patients seeking emergency care in our ER.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n<\/a>to help provide service to many of the “new movers” and the types of injuries that may result at the worksites where they’re employed.<\/p>\n