OLEAN, NY — Olean General Hospital (OGH), a Kaleida Health facility, has introduced a new Provider in Triage (PIT) process designed to help patients begin receiving medical attention sooner after arriving at the Emergency Department.

The new process allows many patients to be evaluated by an emergency medicine provider whether it be a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant shortly after completing their initial nursing assessment. By beginning the medical evaluation earlier, providers can order diagnostic tests, initiate treatment when appropriate and help streamline each patient’s care.

“Our goal is to provide patients with timely, high-quality emergency care from the moment they arrive,” said Jennifer Ruggles, MSN, RN, chief nursing officer, OGH. “The Provider in Triage process allows us to begin the evaluation sooner, helping patients move through their emergency visit more efficiently while ensuring they receive the care they need.”

The PIT process is generally available daily from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., although hours may vary based on patient volume and staffing.

Patients can expect after checking in and completing an initial assessment with a registered nurse is that many patients will meet with an emergency medicine provider in a private screening area as part of the PIT process. During this evaluation, the provider may:

·         Assess the patient’s condition

·         Order laboratory work or imaging studies

·         Begin treatment when appropriate

·         Develop the next steps in the patient’s care plan

If testing is needed, members of the emergency department team will begin the diagnostic process while patients wait for results. Depending on their medical needs, patients may return to the waiting area, move to an internal waiting space or be transferred to a treatment room for continued care.

As test results become available, patients will either review them with the provider or continue treatment in the main emergency department.

Like all emergency departments, Olean General Hospital continues to prioritize patients based on the severity of their medical condition.

Not every patient will participate in the provider in triage process. Patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries will continue to receive immediate treatment in an emergency department room. Others whose conditions are stable may safely begin their evaluation through the PIT process while additional care is coordinated.

The new process is one of several initiatives underway to improve patient flow, reduce delays and enhance the overall emergency department experience for patients and families.

“Our emergency department team is committed to providing compassionate, efficient care every day,” added Ruggles. “The PIT process is another way we’re working to ensure patients are evaluated as quickly as possible and reducing the wait time for non-critically ill patients.”

“We’re always looking for innovative ways to improve the care and experience we provide to our patients,” said Bradley J. Chapman, president, OGH. “We recognize the concerns and frustrations we hear from members of our community regarding emergency department wait times and we’re listening.”

Chapman added, “While emergency care will always prioritize patients based on the severity of their condition, we are actively implementing improvements like this new PIT process to help patients be evaluated sooner and move more efficiently through their visit.”

The PIT process is just one change to OGH’s long-term commitment to enhancing emergency care. Supported by $22 million in New York State funding, including $17 million through New York State’s Healthcare Facility Transformation Program and $5 million from the New York State Office of Mental Health, the hospital will undergo a major expansion and renovation of the emergency department with construction tentatively scheduled to begin by the end of 2026.

The project includes a new 13,300-square-foot addition and renovation of the existing emergency department, maintaining capacity to 25 treatment rooms with specialized trauma, fast-track, a new CT suite and an additional eight beds as a dedicated Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) with separate adult and pediatric treatment spaces for patients experiencing mental health crises.

The new emergency department is designed to improve patient flow, expand access to emergency and behavioral healthcare and enhance the overall patient experience, the project represents one of the largest investments in emergency services in the region and will help ensure high-quality care remains available close to home for years to come.

“Our region deserves a healthcare system they can trust and be proud of. With support coming from grants and community philanthropy, we remain committed to making meaningful investments that strengthen care close to home,” said Chapman.