Wollongong Hospital is significantly improving wait times through innovative use of the Short Stay Unit in the emergency department, almost tripling the use of these beds in the past 12 months, said Health Minister and Member for Keira Ryan Park..
ESSA (Emergency Short Stay Area) operates like a ward within the ED itself – one designed to provide a short period of ongoing treatment and observation of a patient’s condition, avoiding an unnecessary hospital stay, said Mr Park.
In the month of January 2024, almost 770 patients were treated in Wollongong Hospital ESSA, compared with 282 patients treated in January 2023. Performance has further improved in March, with 831 patients managed though ESSA.
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