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Stifled Emergency Rooms in Houston to Get Relief

May 28, 2014

Even the most discerning individual is unable to assess whether he/she just needs primary care or emergency care. As a result, emergency rooms are crowded and facilities struggle to cope with patients in a timely manner. But, with the Nurse Health Line in place in the Houston region, hopefully, things will improve.


“With visits to the emergency room at an all-time high in Houston, wait times have skyrocketed,” said Mayor Annise Parker.

There could be relief around the corner, not only for all residents living in Harris County and the greater Houston region but for emergency rooms in southeast Texas in the form of a 24-hour Nurse Triage Call Center as well.

Studies conducted by the University of Texas - School Of Public Health - showed that more than 46 percent of all patients treated and released from emergency rooms in Harris County are primary care treatable.

“Based on historical experience, projections indicate that approximately 25 percent of the calls will be triaged to a lower-level care setting,” said Carol Paret, chief community benefits officer, privacy and security officer for Memorial Hermann.

Citizens in Houston, Harris County and the eight surrounding counties can use this new, free community-wide resource to talk with a professionally trained, experienced, registered nurse, who can assess the patient, determine the kind of care that is needed. A bilingual staff is available any hour of the day to answer calls on the Nurse Health Line – 713-338-7979.

The Nurse Health Line is yet another attempt to meet the growing healthcare needs of the region, improve access to healthcare and also ensure that emergency rooms in Harris and the surrounding counties are more efficiently used. The project is an expansion of the previous Ask your Nurse Line and part of the several Memorial Hermann-sponsored DSRIP programs.

“This program will help us make sure that ambulances and emergency rooms are available for crises, and non-critical healthcare is delivered in a more appropriate setting. The health cost savings for our community may be significant,” said Mayor Parker.

DSRIP projects are approved and funded through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).

So those who are uncertain about what they should do when they have a health concern will now get the required help. However, people with life-threatening conditions and emergencies should immediately call 911.




Edited by Maurice Nagle



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