Frankfort Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Department is now offering a five-bed Fast Track area for less serious illnesses and injuries. The new Fast Track area is located within the ER and will be available seven days a week from 6:00pm until 11:00pm, which are some of the peak hours for ER visits.
The goal of the Fast Track program is to treat and discharge patients with non-life-threatening conditions within 60 minutes of arrival. Based on the initial patient complaint, the charge nurse in the ER will determine if the patient should be seen in Fast Track. Some of the minor illnesses and injuries treated in Fast Track include:
- Cuts, tears, or puncture wounds
- Sprains
- Occupational injuries
- Colds/flu
- Sore throat
- Minor motor vehicle injuries
- Minor burns
- Insect bites and stings
The Fast Track area will have a dedicated nurse and qualified medical professional, defined as a Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), Physician Assistant (PA) or Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP), specifically allocated to oversee the rapid assessment and treatment of their patients.
"The purpose of the fast track is to rapidly evaluate and treat patients who present with minor illnesses or injuries,” said Mark Sloan, MD, Medical Director of the Emergency Department. “By placing them in a specific, separate area they will not be subject to any delays that could take place when patients with more serious conditions are seen in the main emergency department."