Lourdes Hospital launches online waiting service

Lourdes Hospital has the solution to long waiting room waits. It’s called InQuicker, and it is an innovative online service that will change the way patients use the Lourdes Emergency Department and Walk-Ins.

Patients can check-in online at http://www.lourdes.com for a projected treatment time at Lourdes Emergency Department or Lourdes Vestal Walk-In, arrive at that time, and be promptly seen by a health care professional.

“Our patients deserve more respect for their time in the emergency room,” explains Katherine Loveland, Nursing Manager at Lourdes Emergency Department. “Once a prospective patient receives a projected treatment time online, they can wait at home rather than sitting in the waiting room. Once they arrive, it is the commitment to make sure that the patient is promptly seen by a health care professional.”

InQuicker is not an appointment or reservation service, as the nature of ER triage does not allow for the scheduling of medical treatment. InQuicker estimates treatment times based on facility conditions and allows its users to wait from the comfort of home, rather than the waiting room.

InQuicker users do not skip the ER wait, nor will they be seen ahead of individuals in the waiting room. In the event of a projected treatment time delay, InQuicker users are sent real-time notifications via phone call and email so they can continue waiting at home.

“InQuicker is intended only for individuals with non-life-threatening or non- debilitating medical conditions,” Katherine added. “It’s a simple and convenient way for people with busy lives and busy families to conveniently access care for minor medical needs. If you’re in doubt about the severity of your condition, you should always seek immediate care.”

The InQuicker system is designed to filter certain symptom keywords that may indicate a life threatening or debilitating medical condition, in addition to a review of a user’s symptoms by a health care professional at Lourdes. Those indicating such medical conditions are prompted to dial 911 or go immediately to the nearest emergency room.

The InQuicker service is currently available at the following locations: Vestal Walk-In – 3101 Shippers Rd., Vestal – open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Emergency Department – 169 Riverside Dr., Binghamton – open 24 hours daily.