SCUH Emergency Department
Sunshine Coast Health emergency departments are treating more patients than ever before, with 56,549 presentations between October and December 2023. This is a four per cent increase compared with the same period in the previous year.
In its busiest month ever, an average of 330 patients presented to Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH) Emergency Department each day in December.
Importantly, every one of our sickest or most critically injured patients (Category 1) were seen within clinically recommended timeframes. Across all five categories, the median wait time was just 15 minutes.
There was also a 24.9 per cent increase in the number of elective surgery patients treated compared to the same period last year with 3,385 patients undergoing elective surgery between October and December 2023.
Elective surgery long wait lists reduced by 65 per cent compared to the same time in the previous year.
In June 2023, a new model of care called STREAM was implemented at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital Emergency Department which has significantly improved patient flow.
This model has been so successful, it is now looking to be rolled out in other emergency departments.
This model complements the new purpose-built command centre located at the SCUH which has been operational since last September and uses real-time data and modelling to monitor and coordinate patient arrivals, admissions, and departures.
Sunshine Coast Health Chief Executive Dr Peter Gillies said:
“Our emergency departments are busier than ever before, and our staff are doing a fantastic job in meeting the increasing demand for our services.”
“With the continued focus on improving patient flow, we have seen initiatives like interim care beds, optimisation of virtual care, and our transfer initiative nursing models make an impact on supporting the people coming through our busy emergency departments.”
“We have made excellent improvements in our elective surgery waitlists, and this is reflected in a 24 percent increase in the number of patients receiving elective surgery.”
“As always, I want to thank our dedicated Sunshine Coast Health clinicians and support teams for the work they do to provide high-quality person-centred care.”