Safe for waiting room pathway

When you arrive by ambulance to the emergency department a paramedic may assess your suitability to use our 'Safe for Emergency Department waiting room pathway'.

• This pathway uses safety requirements agreed upon by paramedics, nurses, and doctors.
• You will only be assessed as suitable following a detailed assessment if paramedics feel that you meet these safety requirements and are at a very low risk of getting worse.
• By going directly to the waiting room, you are helping our paramedics to get back into
  the community to assist others in need faster.

How it works

• Paramedics will take you to the Emergency Department waiting room.
• You will need to speak to the triage nurse, who will ask about why you came to the hospital (a triage nurse is a nurse who first assesses the patient to decide how serious their injury or condition is and how urgently they need treatment).
• This helps the hospital to work out the best way to care for you and prioritise patients based
  on urgency.
• Paramedics will provide the hospital with a written record of your care which details our
  assessment, and any treatment we may have given. The triage nurse may not have this by
  the time you are assessed, so you must share all relevant information with the triage nurse.
• You will also be asked to provide your details (name, date of birth, address, Medicare, or
  health insurance details) to the triage clerk.
• Hospital staff will then show you on where to wait, tell you when you might be seen and
  anything you need to do while waiting.
• Your care and treatment in the hospital will not be affected by going directly to the waiting
  room.
• If you have any concerns while waiting, or your condition worsens, please contact the triage
  nurse.

Feedback

If you have used this pathway we welcome you to share your experience and provide feedback.