Patients presenting to ED or to Paramedics with a history of resolving chest pain and a normal ECG are fast tracked to the Ambulatory Emergency Care Unit.
Here they are triaged by an experienced nurse, vital signs, ECG and bloods taken. After a brief clinical history is taken the patient is reviewed by a consultant or ACP and a decision about future management is made.
Over 90% of these patients are discharged within 4 hours, patient feedback regarding the process is excellent.
This new service has helped decongest the ED department and reduced the need for acute medical beds.
This change in process for low risk chest pains was started at the beginning of August, each day the numbers are increasing as word and confidence in our service spreads.
A formal report will be done at the end of September, this so far has been a very successful and safe way of managing one of the highest attenders to our emergency care services.