Mount Sinai Brooklyn Launches FastER Track Program in the Emergency Department
Will provide rapid access to care for low-acuity conditions, such as sore throats, rashes, and common colds
Mount Sinai Brooklyn has launched a FastER Track program in its emergency department (ED) that will expedite care for patients, especially those with non-urgent medical needs. This new system separates patients based on the seriousness of their conditions, thus reducing wait times and providing faster results from onsite diagnostic testing.
“This model expedites care for all patients and allows our providers to give equal attention to the sickest of patients, who require complex testing, and patients with common ailments that may need only an examination and prescription,” said Scott Lorin, MD, President of Mount Sinai Brooklyn.
During a pilot of FastER Track in Mount Sinai Brooklyn’s ED, the arrival-to-first provider time decreased by more than half to under 10 minutes; length of stay decreased by about 11.5 minutes for patients with non-urgent conditions; and turnaround times decreased for walk-in patients.
FastER Track will result in patients seeing a provider within minutes upon arrival for an assessment. For example, patients with minor ailments, such as sore throats, urinary tract infections, or rashes, will be sorted in the system and treated rapidly. These patients are generally healthier and can be diagnosed through a physical or point-of-care test. If further diagnostics are needed, such as an X-ray or lab test, they will be referred to areas of the ED where that testing is conducted. The previous model focused treatment efforts on the most serious cases before diverting resources to patients with low-acuity conditions.
“This is important for our community hospital. This structural triage provides the appropriate path for patients who want to receive exceptional care and be discharged as quickly as possible,” said Deborah Dean, MD, Director of the Emergency Department at Mount Sinai Brooklyn.
“If more advanced care is needed, patients will have access to world-class specialists who are based in our hospital, including surgeons, oncologists, and cardiologists, as well as physicians throughout the health system,” said Peter Shearer, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Mount Sinai Brooklyn.
FastER Trask has also been shown to improve patient satisfaction. In a recent survey, patients triaged via FastER Track responded positivity to their experience in the ED:
“Best service ever. That's where I'll forever go when I need care.”
“The care was exceptional. The provider in the intake area was Diana, and my nurse was Lilibeth. I was seen immediately and was treated with care and compassion. The entire team was amazing. Thank you!”
“Did not have to wait to be seen. Patient care was prioritized over financials.”
“First time ED visit. Staff was very attentive and worked diligently to show importance in providing me the care and testing needed. Diagnosis and treatment were explained thoroughly.”
About the Mount Sinai Health System
Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with 48,000 employees working across eight hospitals, more than 400 outpatient practices, more than 600 research and clinical labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex health care challenges of our time—discovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high-quality care to all who need it.
Through the integration of its hospitals, labs, and schools, Mount Sinai offers comprehensive health care solutions from birth through geriatrics, leveraging innovative approaches such as artificial intelligence and informatics while keeping patients’ medical and emotional needs at the center of all treatment. The Health System includes approximately 9,000 primary and specialty care physicians and 11 free-standing joint-venture centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida. Hospitals within the System are consistently ranked by Newsweek’s® “The World’s Best Smart Hospitals, Best in State Hospitals, World Best Hospitals and Best Specialty Hospitals” and by U.S. News & World Report's® “Best Hospitals” and “Best Children’s Hospitals.” The Mount Sinai Hospital is on the U.S. News & World Report® “Best Hospitals” Honor Roll for 2024-2025.
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