At a time when record numbers of patients are attending Queensland Emergency Departments (ED), patients in Mount Isa are spending less time in EDs, according to recent data.

Data between July and October 2023 shows that of 10,895 patients presenting to Mount Isa Hospital’s ED, only 152 patients stayed in the ED for more than 24 hours, an improvement of 1.39 per cent compared to the same period in 2022.

North West Hospital and Health Service (HHS) Chief Executive Sean Birgan said a robust and functional emergency department is a fundamental pilar of medical care in any community.

“In Mount Isa, the ED team across all levels promotes proactive, dynamically responsive, accountable, patient-centred care,” Mr Birgan said.

“Not all patients who are seen in the ED need to be admitted to hospital, and many patients with a disturbance of chronic disease management may be safely referred to other treatment streams, maintaining an accessible and prepared emergency department.

“The short-stay unit, or short-term treatment area is a vital link in this chain, allowing a patient to access emergency care in a location that enjoys the same access to investigation services and treatment providers, but without blocking emergency department beds.

“We are justifiably proud of our committed team in Mount Isa that is able to deliver these results for our community.”

Maintaining responsible flow of patients through the ED sets a safe platform for the emergent and urgent medical needs of the community 24 hours per day, every day of the year.