A new referral service is helping emergency room patients at Windsor Regional Hospital receive follow-up care faster. The service, called ‘Rapid Referral Service’, looks to give patients the care they need in a timely manner, while also improving patient flow in the ER. Patients who can be discharged from the hospital but still need quick attention from an internal medicine specialist, will now leave the hospital with a confirmed appointment at the Urgent Medicine Clinic on Howard Avenue. WRH says the goal is to have patients scheduled within 24 hours on weekdays, or a Monday after a weekend visit. “Rather than remaining in hospital or navigating follow-up referrals independently, patients will leave with an appointment card in hand and a clear plan for their ongoing care,” the hospital said. ER clerks will schedule and give patients their follow-up appointments before they leave. “This initiative is about ensuring patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time,” said Kristin Kennedy, President and CEO of WRH. “When patients require prompt specialist follow-up, but do not need a hospital bed, we can now connect them directly to expert care in the community. Patients and families leave the emergency department with certainty about their next steps, while helping preserve hospital resources for those who require inpatient care.” The program began Thursday.
