How Long an ER Wait at Crittenton?

If you go to the emergency room at Crittenton Hospital Medical Center in Rochester with a broken bone, how long will it take before you receive pain meds?

The federal government says 65 minutes on average, according to a new database.

That's shorter than the wait for pain medicine at nearby Beaumont Hospital in Troy (68 minutes), but slightly longer than the state average (57 minutes) and the national average (62 minutes).

Key measures of ER efficiency have been posted from hospitals taking part across the country, according to a report by HealthLeaders Media.

Data collected in 2011 and early 2012 also tracked how long it took for an ER patient to be seen by a healthcare professional (at Crittenton, an average of 61 minutes) and how long before ER patients are admitted as inpatients (376 minutes). 

Crittenton reacts

Paula Palazzolo, nursing director of emergency department and critical care at Crittenton, said the wait times are only one measurement of the overall success of an emergency room.

She also said the hospital is seeking to get its information corrected in the database — that the wait times are actually shorter.

"The report is flawed, not only for Crittenton but for many hospitals nationwide in the study," she said. "In dealing with a similar problem, it appears data is being pulled from incorrect locations." (The author of the report also recognized its flaws).

Palazzolo added, "The numbers, even if accurate, are important but on top of that is the quality of care, efficiency and relational skills, which we've built."

She said the hospital is particularly proud of its "door-to-balloon time" of 42 minutes for patients who have heart issues. 

And at a recent breakfast for emergency responders at the hospital, the emergency room's "door-to-needle time" for stroke patients was highlighted. (Read Rochester Hills Paramedics Beat Clock and Save a Life.)

Other efforts Crittenton is focusing on its emergency room:

• The hospital is working toward its emergency room being designated a "trauma" center. 
• The emergency room's triage area is being redesigned to make it more patient-friendly.
• A new mobile application, specifically designed for paramedics, is the first of its kind in the country, according to doctors. (Read Crittenton Develops One-of-a-Kind App for Emergencies.)

Crittenton's ER received 6,100 ambulances in 2012.

Compare ERs

Residents can compare the ER care and other areas of Crittenton with area hospitals in the national database.

• First go to the Hospital Compare website. Then type in your ZIP code, city or local hospital. When a list of hospitals is displayed, put a checkmark next to two or three hospitals.
• Scroll down to a yellow button labeled Compare Now, and click to display more details. Look for a tab called Timely and Effecive Care and click that.
• Finally, scroll down to a section called Timely Emergency Department Care. A green button allows you to “View More Details,” displaying something like this page comparing Crittenton, Troy Beaumont and Royal Oak Beaumont.

Were you surprised by any of the stats displayed? Tell us in the comments.