SaHF DMBC Volume 1 Edition 1.1.pdf - Shaping a healthier future

No. Standard Adapted from source
the urgent care service 95 per cent all model for urgent care centres
patients are to have a clinical decision
made that they will be treated in the urgent
care service and discharged, or
arrangements made to transfer them to
another service.
Supporting information:
Time of arrival at the urgent care service is defined as the time a patient is registered at the point of
arriving at the urgent care service.
Necessary diagnostic testing is to be completed within 90 minutes of the time the patient arrives at
the urgent care service.
If a patient is being transferred to an emergency department after full clinical assessment an
agreement should be made that the patient does not have start from the beginning of the emergency
department pathway but would be treated the same as a GP referral.
Where an admission is required this is to be made directly to the specialty concerned.
The urgent care service will make a clinical decision as to whether a non-emergency patient requires
a non-urgent transfer and will arrange transfer where appropriate. [DN: a decision is needed on
requirements for transfer for patients not requiring a 999 LAS transfer but that need to be transferred
for further examination/treatment/diagnosis and would there be a requirement for patient transfer
protocols].
At least 95 per cent of patients who present
at an urgent care service to be seen,
7 treated if appropriate, and discharged in
under 4 hours of the time of arrival at the
urgent care service.
Supporting information:
Time of arrival at the urgent care service is defined as the time a patient is registered at the point of
arriving at the urgent care service.
Patients to have received a full consultation that is fully documented, including: taking a history,
carrying out any necessary examination, diagnosing the case or identifying what diagnostic tests are
needed, providing pain relief if needed.
Patients attending urgent care services are likely to be presenting with less serious illness and
injuries than in an emergency department and therefore under 2 hours is optimal.
8
9
During all hours that the urgent care service
is open it is to provide guidance and
support on how to register with a local GP.
The service is to have a clear pathway in
place for patients who arrive outside of
opening hours to ensure safe care is
delivered elsewhere.
Healthcare for London (2010) A service delivery
model for urgent care centres
Developed by adult patient experience panel
Supporting information:
The urgent care service is to clearly communicate the pathway to patients.
The standards do not require urgent care services to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
10
Access to minimum key diagnostics during
hours the urgent care service is open, with
real time access to images and results:
Plain film x-ray: immediate on-site access
with formal report received by the urgent
care service within 24 hours of examination
Blood testing: immediate on-site access
with formal report received by urgent care
service within one hour of the sample being
taken
Clinical staff to have the competencies to
assess the need for, and order, diagnostics
and imaging, and interpret the results.
Healthcare for London (2010) A service delivery
model for urgent care centres
7a. Clinical vision, standards and service models 108