Hospital addresses admin problems
IN A bid to assist patients and reduce waiting, Wentworth Hospital has issued guidelines for community members.
Hospital CEO, Dr S Kader said the hospital has a few concerns when it comes to appointments, referrals and waiting times.
“Wentworth Hospital operates on a referral system with patients being referred from their local clinics or regional hospitals. We encourage patients to make use of PHC clinics in their areas to avoid long waiting times in the hospital. On returning to Wentworth Hospital from your visit to another regional or tertiary institution you must produce your referral letter to the doctor at the outpatients department (MOPD),” said Dr Kader.
There has been an increase in patients arriving at the accident and emergency department at night, when they were meant to go to the MOPD during the day.
“This causes a lot of frustration for both the patients and the staff. Patients are requested to keep their MOPD date.”
Staff have also noticed an increase in missed appointments and patients are urged to keep their appointment dates. For repeat medication collection, be in hospital before 11am.
“Patients are advised to collect their medicines themselves as there are changes to the medication from time to time. Patients will then be aware of the treatment they are receiving and take it correctly.”
To reduce waiting times and overcrowding, non-medical sites have been set up for repeat chronic medication collection. Collections can be done at Austerville community hall is available on Wednesdays, the Lamontville Clinic on Fridays and Peniel Church in Merebank on Mondays. All start at 8.30am. Stable chronic patients on a pink card who want to collect their medication from these venues should contact the pharmacy for arrangements to be made.
Systems at the hospital are being revised to help patients and hospital staff.
“The current priority system is being revised and a new system will be implemented. Patients currently on priority will have their status reviewed and advised accordingly. The admitting department is also moving away from filling of patient’s records using the date of birth to using sequential numbers. With the new filing system it will be easy to file records and retrieve files without delays, waiting times in the admitting department will be reduced and the risk of missing files will be minimised thus reducing complaints. Files are the property of the institution and must not be taken off hospital premises or destroyed.”
When visiting the hospital, first-time patients must bring their ID to capture their date of birth, proof of their residential address, salary advice (this applies to all patients), their medical aid card if they are on medical aid and contact details of next of kin or relatives in case of emergencies.
