8 In a place where every second counts, changing a space can be transformative. The newly redeveloped emergency department (ED) at BH is already doing just that – creating a smoother, faster and more efficient experience for patients and staff. The ambulance handover and triage areas have doubled in size. Twice the amount of trolley space is available and there is a new ‘fit to sit’ area for mobile patients arriving by ambulance, as well as two extra bed spaces. Two mental health bays, a family room for relatives, and a large reception desk and nursing station are also incorporated into the design. A new, expanded paediatric ED has also opened, with its own entrance and a dedicated 24/7 reception. The redesigned space includes 50% more clinical space, an additional triage room and more than double the number of waiting area chairs. There is also a dedicated place-of-safety room for children experiencing a mental health crisis, and a calming sensory room for patients with learning difficulties. We caught up with staff working in the new space to find out how it’s positively impacting patient care and staff experience. Ambulance handover Ella Curran, emergency department assistant (EDA), said: “It’s brilliant having more room to work and examine patients. As an EDA, we bring in a lot of equipment and previously we were a bit squished between trollies but now we have so much more space to help and talk to patients.” Paediatric ED Having a separate ED entrance for paediatrics sets the tone straight away, with a relaxed a relaxed environment which helps put children and their parents at ease. Luke Brown, ED matron, said the investment in the building had allowed them to change how they deliver care. He said: “It’s exciting and staff are proud to work here. We’re able to allocate nurses to different areas – triage, an open pod area and cubicles – which allows us to work far more efficiently. It is amazing to see how energised staff are by their new surroundings. “From the patient, parent or carer perspective, being able to see more of the clinical and admin teams from the waiting area has made a real difference – it’s had a genuinely positive impact. Time to initial assessment has dropped significantly and I think that has played a big part helping to dramatically reduce incidents of violence and aggression.” Samantha Milton, advanced clinical practitioner, said: “The new space is very child friendly, with bright wall decorations and lots of toys to play with. It’s warm and welcoming, which is so important when patients might be feeling anxious or upset. It’s also a much better environment for staff to work in and the layout supports flow through the department.” Mahesh Sivaji, charge nurse, said: “The new layout ensures patient privacy, with separate cubicles for examinations.” Yael Benson, team lead physiotherapist, said: “We have more capacity. That means there are more patients in the department at any one time who need therapy input, but we are successfully managing that. We’ve always worked well alongside the nurses, but the new space has enhanced that partnership.” Russell Durkin, clinical director for ED, said more activity can now take place when patients first arrive. He said: “We’ve had a focus on rapid assessment and treatment which enables the senior clinician to make decisions at an earlier point in the patient’s journey, helping us speed up investigations and care. “With more space visibility there is better communication across the entire ED, as well as with the bed and site teams, helping patients get to where they need to be more quickly.” 9 The design means we can keep an eye on everything that’s going on Ambulances can get back in the community “ “ “ “ Staff from the ED multidisciplinary team pictured by the new nurses’ station Making space for transformation Ella Curran Mahesh Sivaji L-R: Goreti Duarte, ED senior operations manager and Russell Durkin, ED clinical director L-R: Luke Brown, ED matron, and Samantha Milton, advanced clinical practitioner Rachna Ravade, staff nurse, pictured with the ‘rocket’ tent Every detail has been carefully considered, including calming green and blue lighting in a new sensory room for patients with learning difficulties – colours widely recognised as supportive for people with autism. Rachna Ravade, staff nurse, said: “The separate space and calming, adaptive lighting lighting help soothe patients – allowing us to carry out observations in the ‘rocket’, essentially a large, padded tent.” Another important improvement is that the team can now work without interruption, thanks to a new door separating the clinical area from the waiting room. This means reception staff can update patients on waiting times while clinical staff focus on essential tasks, such as preparing medications. She added: “We also love the nurses’ station as the design means we can keep an eye on everything that’s going on.” Generously sized pod areas – essentially semicurtained observation booths – give staff space to come together and discuss each patient’s care. Everything in the department is designed with a view to making streaming, triaging and observations much easier. Nasmin McFarlane, EDA, is delighted with the new space: “It’s a huge upgrade.” Dr Rahul Chodhari, consultant paediatrician, said: “No-one wants to be in hospital for longer than necessary and our new ED enables us reduce the time people have to spend in our department. The feedback we have had from patients and families who have experienced the old ED, and the new one, is that we have got it right, and they appreciate all the changes.” Goreti Duarte, senior operations manager for ED, said: “The growth in demand in recent years has been huge and our space didn’t reflect that. Now we’ve more than doubled our capacity. That’s enabling timely handovers so ambulances can get back into the community.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTI5NzM=