Medical Reports: No More Waiting

WSVN -- Erica Hernandez is a busy working mom, so when she started to have severe ear pain she knew she had to get better fast.

Erica Hernandez: "Not being able to sort of balance myself, tiredness, fatigue, nausea."

She needed to go to the emergency room, but like most people, she didn't want to wait for hours.

Erica Hernandez: "At this point I had already missed the morning of my job and I thought I really wanted to make it in the afternoon."

Erica had seen some hospitals advertising shorter wait times so she got on-line to check it out. That's when she found a program at Palmetto General Hospital "Called in-quicker."

Cindy Gill: "Where you can go on-line and register to hold your place in line in the emergency room."

Here's how it works: The patient goes to the home page of the hospital and clicks on the time slot they want. They're asked to give a brief description of their symptoms and contact information. The system confirms their spot and the patient is guaranteed to be seen within 15 minutes of their appointment time.

Cindy Gill: "This way you can do your waiting at home in the comfort of your own home and then come in to the facility and be seen by the physician."

The program is for non-life threatening conditions only, so if you type in certain words like chest pain or numbness, the system won't let you register.

ER nurses say the program helps both patients and staff.

George Uwadia: "We're able to get ready to receive the patient. We know what they are here for and how long they're going to stay."

That was exactly the case for Erica.

Erica Hernandez: "I walked right on through and there was a waiting room full of people."

And because she pre-registered on-line, she was treated right away and was soon on her way feeling better because she didn't have to wait.

Erica Hernandez: "Just to be able to see a doctor, to avoid waiting in lengthy lines it really was well worth it."

Christine Cruz: "There is a fee of $9.99 to use the service but if you have to cancel or the hospital can't meet the time frame. The fee is refunded. The program is in effect in all tenet hospitals."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Tenent Hospitals: $9.99 Fee for InQuickER

North Shore Medical Center:
www.northshoremedical.com

North Shore Medical Center FMC Campus:
www.fmc-campus.com

Palmetto General Hospital:
www.palmettogeneral.com

Hialeah Hospital:
www.hialeahhosp.com

Coral Gables Hospital:
www.coralgableshospital.com