FREEPORT, Bahamas - Physicians, nurses and medical personnel of the Accident & Emergency and Urgent Care Center of the Rand Memorial Hospital recently attended a Triage Court Seminar at the Gerald Bartlett Complex, Police Headquarters in Freeport, Grand Bahama. The 3-day event took place from Tuesday thru Thursday, 26th-28th August 2014 hosted by Dr. Michelle Sweeting, Clinical Director of the Accident & Emergency Department.
The well organized and attended event was facilitated by Mrs. Shelley Cohen, the founder of Health Resources Limited, Senior Instructor for the program and lead administrator of the Triage Tool-belt course in Tennessee, USA. Mrs. Cohen was very excited to be here in Grand Bahama for the first time to share her wealth of knowledge to the medical staff.
The event was officially opened with a short ceremony by Dr. Sweeting and in attendance was the Medical Chief of Staff for GBHS, Dr. Paul Ward. Dr. Ward commented on the many challenges in the healthcare system and its earnings cost, which is very comparative to other countries worldwide.
He added that “the A & E encounters a large number of persons but because of its uniqueness, in that 85% are non-urgent and the other 15% are true emergencies. In my observance of the department, I’m well aware of the challenges, patients waiting, staffing shortage, and limited workspace but despite it all, we overcome to make the circumstances better and the medical team should be commended for the good work that they do daily”.
“As the healthcare system is a complex one, the need for everyone to be on board is vital to its success. With the help, support and persistence of Dr. Sweeting, very soon approximately 25 new physicians will be hired for the Grand Bahama Health Services.
With the team support of physicians, nurses and support staff, the A & E Department continues to seek improvements, efficiencies and flow and commend the organizers in educating for progress, moving forward to continue to provide quality healthcare for our patients.
These individuals serve an enormous patient load of approximately 50,000-55,000 patient visits annually seen at the hospital. As the A & E and Urgent Care Center’ goal and primary purpose is to provide timely and quality assured management to persons presenting with acute health related issues, this seminar aided a stronger triage system which will help to ensure that ‘red flags’ within, presenting complaints that are readily identified and appropriate order maintained in addressing the more severe cases that are present.
The group of 35 received a wealth of knowledge and best practices that will assist our patients.The seminar closed out with four (4) persons being certified instructors ensuring that standards and on-going academic assurance is maintained, enhancing and improving patient satisfaction.
