Ipswich Hospital among the best
IPSWICH Hospital's Emergency Department has faired among the best in the Brisbane region in a national report released yesterday.
The National Health Performance Authority report found Ipswich Hospital treated 62% of patients within four hours, only one per cent shy of top spot.
The Authority expect hospitals to hit 70% target this year, and 90% by 2015.
The data was recorded in the financial year, and since then, the department's performance has continued to improve.
West Moreton Hospital and Health Service District Chief Executive Lesley Dwyer said the year to year results showed the Ipswich department reached 66%.
"And in the months of October and November, this figure rose to about 82-83% of patients," she said.
"This has occurred at a time when presentations to ED continued to increase and when the ambulance bypass hours have been decreased to zero."
Director of Emergency Dr Daniel Bitmead said there had been an intensive whole-of-hospital effort to improve the flow of patients through the hospital.
"This has meant looking at the whole process through the hospital - not just what happens in ED. And this is what has brought about the massive improvements we are seeing," he said.
Authority CEO Dr Diane Watson said the report showed hospitals where they sit in the pack and would help them learn from those that were already achieving the 90% target, or were closer to doing so.
"This target aims to ensure 90% of patients leave hospital EDs within four hours by 2015," she said.
