Mercy Medical Center in Aurora is now allowing patients to schedule their non-life-threatening emergency room visits online, the hospital announced recently.
FastTrackCare, accessible through the hospital’s website, lets patients select an approximate time they can be seen by filling out a brief, secure form with no username or password required, according to a news release from the hospital.
The new tool can also notify patients if there is a change that may extend their wait time and can even send a notification to patients if they are able to get in sooner.
“Our new online ER scheduling tool is an important part of our mission to improve both access to care and the patient experience, one in which folks don’t dread having to go to an ER for a minor but pressing medical issue,” Fernando Gruta, CEO of Mercy Medical Center, said in the news release.
Hospital officials stressed that the tool is only for non-life or limb-threatening emergencies. Those with critical symptoms, such as severe injury, chest pain, shortness of breath, or signs of stroke or heart attack, are encouraged to call 911.
While the tool lets patients know about current wait times and keeps them updated with notifications, appointments cannot be guaranteed because of the unpredictable nature of an emergency department, the news release said.
Beyond allowing patients to access same-day care by scheduling an appointment online and waiting safely at home, the FastTrackCare tool also allows ER staff to instantly chat with patients and gives them a heads up about the patients that are set to come in, hospital officials said in the news release.
Patients can fill the online form out in English or Spanish, and then they select a preferred time slot to reserve their place in line, according to the news release. Then, a confirmation with details and directions is sent, and notifications will keep the patient updated if conditions affect their expected arrival time.
The hospital’s website is: mercymedcenter.com
