Submitted by PeaceHealth
Due to a significant increase in patients visiting the emergency department, PeaceHealth is asking people seeking care for non-emergent conditions to consider other community options, including visiting their primary care physician or a same-day drop-in clinic, before visiting the ED.
The medical center has seen a significant influx of patients to the emergency department with nonurgent conditions causing long wait times.
“Our caregivers work tirelessly to provide quality care to all patients who come through our doors, but there are times when our emergency department isn’t the best option,” said Dr. Sudhakar Karlapudi, chief medical officer, PeaceHealth Northwest network. “Freeing up space and keeping wait times down in the ED lets us do what we do best: quickly and skillfully taking care of acute medical emergencies.”
Dr. Karlapudi noted that people should always visit the emergency department for serious and life-threatening medical emergencies.
