An area hospital is formalizing its commitment to shorter emergency room wait times. LaPorte Hospital’s new 30-minute ER Service Pledge means the facility will work diligently to ensure the overall average wait time to be seen by a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner will be 30 minutes or less from the time of check-in at the ER.
LaPorte Hospital Executive Medical Director of Emergency Services James Leonard says the facility has worked very hard over the past year to create a process in the ER that serves patients with timely, professional and compassionate care.
He adds longer wait times are possible when the ER is busy and stresses the most critically ill patients will still be seen first. Leonard says the pledge serves as a reminder to their patients that the hospital respects their time and wants to provide the most efficient care possible.
LaPorte Hospital’s average wait time, which is based on a two-hour rolling average and updated every 15 minutes, is posted on their website, laportehealth.com.
Patients who need emergency care are urged to call 911 or come to the hospital ER for immediate treatment. Those who need immediate, non-emergency care can visit Urgent Care at Sagamore Plaza, which is located at 508 Legacy Plaza West in LaPorte. It’s open weekdays from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Leonard says urgent care is good for any kind of service you would normally seek from your primary care doctor. He adds the extended hours are designed for the convenience of patients who can’t get an immediate appointment.
