Helping You Receive Care Where and When You Need It

By: Dr. Kevin Desrosiers, Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs of Elliot Hospital and Elliot Medical Group’s Acute Care Services and Dr. Matthew Dayno, Section Chief and Medical Director, Elliot Emergency Medicine Specialists

Like other hospitals across our state and region, Elliot Health System experiences occasional surges in need for healthcare services in the winter months, at a time when health conditions are already more severe. Our current surge in need from the community is mostly due to upper respiratory infections—both RSV and Influenza have been frequent, and pneumonia from bacterial infections in children and adults has also been more common than in years past. 

While increased need for care may lead to increased wait times in the Emergency Department (ED), The Elliot remains steadfast in its mission to provide care to anyone who is in need. We know that waiting for care for yourself or a loved one in the Emergency Department can be extremely difficult. We are working our absolute hardest to care for all our patients who seek emergency care. Emergency Departments stand at the ready to provide care 24/7/365 for the community. We have successfully cared for more patients than we could have predicted. 

We remain committed to providing exceptional emergency medical care every hour, every day. We are thankful for our dedicated and compassionate teams of healthcare workers who work hard every day to care for the people of the communities we serve.

Why Do Patients Experience Longer Wait Times?

Sometimes, people seeking help face long wait times before being seen. There are multiple factors that contribute to this, including greatly increased need for care that exceeds available capacity in staff, available inpatient beds, tests and more.

Another common reason someone might experience an unnecessarily long wait time in the ED is that they require care for a lower acuity need than other people who are waiting. The Emergency Department uses a triage system to prioritize acuity and potentially life-threatening conditions, and not always on arrival time. 

What Can You Do?

Continue frequent handwashing and be sure to stay home when sick. If you are experiencing a non-life-threatening condition, please consider:

Calling Your Primary Care Provider
We strive for everyone to have a primary care provider (PCP) to guide them through their health journey, and we understand that not everyone has a PCP. If you have an Elliot Primary Care Physician, after hours clinics are now available to offer more same day appointments. These providers are here to help you with preventative care and when emergent health concerns arise.

An alternative is receiving care with Elliot VirtualER service—it is an easy way of being seen for non-life-threatening health problems without the long wait and more costly bill that comes from an ED visit. This team can also order diagnostic testing you might need, including blood tests, x-rays, and swabs for Influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and strep throat and they will provide follow-up instructions and treatment based on test results, making it faster to receive the care you need.

Receiving Convenient Care with Elliot VirtualER
With the Elliot VirtualER, patients conveniently connect on-screen with our own board-certified Elliot ER physicians via a computer from home, or mobile device from anywhere within New Hampshire for non-life-threatening health problems. Whether you suspect something like flu or UTI, or something are experiencing more serious, like a fracture, minor burn, or skin infection, our doctors will assess your needs virtually. If you do not need in-person care, they will care for you right then and there and get you on your way – and for the cost of an office visit. If your medical concern requires in-person care, our doctors will seamlessly transition you to Elliot Urgent Care or The Elliot’s Emergency Department as necessary, with no charge for the virtual visit. 

To learn more and book a same-day virtual appointment Monday – Friday between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. visit www.elliothospital.org/VirtualER.
 

Visiting an Urgent Care 
Urgent Care centers can help you save time and money next time you need care.

Urgent care centers, like Elliot Urgent Care in Londonderry, Bedford, and at River’s Edge in Manchester, bridge the gap between routine care and acute care provided by emergency department staff. For your convenience, Elliot Urgent Care centers are open outside of business hours and have on-site labs and imaging. The Elliot is fortunate that our Urgent Care centers are staffed by the same talented board-certified emergency medicine physicians and advanced practice providers that staff our Emergency Department. 

Urgent care clinics are prepared to handle a range of medical conditions and injuries that need immediate attention. Some symptoms and injuries that urgent care staff can diagnose and/or treat include:

•    Respiratory infections (cold, flu, sinus infection, bronchitis)
•    Sore throat
•    Ear infection
•    Urinary tract infection (UTI)
•    Poison ivy and other rashes
•    Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
•    Sprains and strains
•    Broken bones
•    Cuts and lacerations
•    Burns
•    Minor eye injuries
•    Splinter removal
•    Sports and workplace injuries

The Emergency Department at Elliot Hospital is proud to be here for our community. Together, we can ensure that patients receive the care they need when they need it and that our skilled ED staff is always available for the most pressing, emergent medical needs.