New, Improved Emergency Department Benefits Patients and Employees

Patients and employees have seen lots of changes in Southern California Hospital at Culver City’s 17-bed emergency department in 2019—from an attractive facelift to substantially faster times to see a doctor.

The facelift created a more tranquil environment, which included adding soothing pale blue walls and contrasting flooring to welcome patients as they are assessed and triaged.

Thanks to the addition of a second triage nurse and other efficiencies, the average time for a patient to see a doctor from the time they walk in is now 13 minutes, down from 23 minutes.

The time a patient will be in the ED before going home or being admitted also has been cut nearly in half, to an average of less than three hours.

“The first person a patient talks to when they come in the door is a nurse, not a registration clerk,” said ED Director Jason Driver. “All our changes mean patients can depend on Southern California Hospital at Culver City to give them quick and compassionate emergency care.”

A new hospital-wide efficiency committee has shortened the wait for ED patients to be admitted as inpatients. The committee looks at everything from the time it takes for lab results to how quickly empty rooms are cleaned for the next patient.

“Patients don’t want to be left waiting, looking at their phones and diagnosing themselves,” Driver added. “They want to see a doctor quickly and be treated, which provides gives peace of mind during an anxious time.”

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