In Emergency Medicine, where time is of the essence, comforting the
soul can be as important as comforting the body.
The Emergency Department, the gateway into our
hospitals for many patients, has as much to do
with treating illnesses and injuries as it does
in treating the human spirit. The Saint Barnabas
Health Care System, with three of the busiest Emergency
Departments (EDs) in the state, (Community, Newark
Beth Israel and Saint Barnabas Medical Centers),
treating 450,000 patients annually, has been at
the forefront of emergency medical care that combines “high tech
and high touch.”
When people come to our EDs they are often in a crisis and the focus
is on diagnosing and treating problems quickly. Just
as important, however, is letting people know they
are cared for and making a personal connection within
a fast-paced environment. In the throes of a personal
or family emergency, communication, patient satisfaction,
caring and understanding are as important as the
clinical expertise of the medical and nursing staff.
Over the decade this credo has led to dramatic
growth at our facilities, a result of people choosing
to come to an Emergency Department of a hospital
affiliated with the Saint Barnabas Health Care
System.
A System-wide approach to emergency care, from minor illnesses to major
trauma, has led to innovations and improvements throughout
our facilities reflected in consistently high patient
satisfaction scores. Chest Pain Centers specially
attuned to the risks of acute coronary syndrome,
Fast Track programs designed to expedite the care
of patients with minor injuries and illnesses,
patient advocates whose role it is to ensure a
patient’s comfort
and that his or her needs are being met, and the
adoption of best practices for a host of presenting
illnesses, are examples of the unified culture
that has put the Saint Barnabas Health Care System’s
Emergency Departments on the path to continued
growth.
| Emergency care especially for children |
| The 1990s saw the emergence of a new specialty – pediatric
emergency medicine – and the Saint Barnabas
Health Care System followed suit with the creation
of Pediatric Emergency Centers, a specialized
area just for children. Taking a true leadership
role, the System has addressed the special
emergency care needs of children by providing
convenient, child-oriented environments at
several System EDs including Children’s
Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel
Medical Center, Saint Barnabas Medical Center,
Clara Maass Medical Center and Children’s
Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center. The Pediatric
Emergency Centers are specially equipped for
medical emergencies as well as minor illness
and pediatric trauma. |
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