First ER Wait Time Mobile App In Baltimore Area For St. Joseph Medical Center Consumers Can Check ER Wait On Mobile Phones
Earlier this spring, St. Joseph Medical Center's Emergency Department became the first Baltimore area ER to offer wait time – in real time – on the Internet at www.ShorterERWait.com. Now, area residents can download a free mobile web application to check St. Joseph's current ER wait time from their mobile phones.
The "ER Wait" app is available as a download at www.ShorterERWait.com. It is compatible with the iPhone and Android operating systems. Wait time is computer-generated based on current ER patient information and is updated every 15 minutes. Users can also click on the app to get directions to St. Joseph's ER based on their current location. Those who do not have mobile phones that are compatible with the ER Wait application can get current ER wait times by texting ERWAIT to 39044.
The average ER wait at St. Joseph until care begins is 14 minutes.
"The phone app and texting capabilities provide instant information about St. Joseph's ER wait time for the convenience of people in the midst of an emergency. They can see the wait time on their phones and, with our mobile app, get directions to our ER. We want people to know that we respect their time in an emergency. Our goal is innovative, personalized, quality care," explains Dr. Gail Cunningham, head of the Emergency Department at St. Joseph Medical Center. "We still want to emphasize that for a life-threatening emergency, you should call 911."
St. Joseph's online wait time represents the time from when patients come in through the ER doors and sign in to when they are evaluated by a health care professional – either a doctor or nurse – and care begins. St. Joseph's ER won the 2009 Top Innovator of the Year Award from The Daily Record for success in streamlining ER care that produced the shorter ER wait.
About St. Joseph Medical Center
St. Joseph Medical Center is a 300-bed nonprofit, regional medical center at 7601 Osler Drive, Towson, Md., and a member of Catholic Health Initiatives. Founded in 1864 by the Sisters of St. Francis, St. Joseph is the only NCI Community Cancer Program in Maryland and has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of America's best orthopaedic facilities. For more information, visit www.StJosephTowson.com.
SOURCE: St. Joseph Medical Center