What is the annual ED volume?
We are currently tracking over 18,000 visits on the Bradley campus and over 88,000 visits on the New Britain campus for FY 2011.
What is the physician and PA coverage?
We adjust coverage to volume. Currently at NBGc, we have 63 hours of physician and 30 hours of PA of base coverage per day. Physicians average 2.0-2.4 patients per hour and PAs average 2.75 - 3.5 patients per hour in the fast track. We add swing shifts as volume dictates (presently Monday thru Thursday). At peak times we have 4 physicians and two PAs on duty. At the Bradley campus, we have 24 hours of MD coverage and 10 hours of PA coverage per day and average 1.6 patients per provider hour of coverage.
Are physicians and PAs hospital employee's?
Yes.
Is your group a democratic group?
Yes and No. Yes, we function as one, with all physicians equal voting members. But no, since we do not own our practice and the accounts receivable.
What documentation method do you use?
We use an outstanding computerized system called EmpowER for all physician and nurse documentation. This also includes tracking, triage, order sets, CPOE, prescriptions and discharge instructions. It is ridiculously user friendly and does not slow us down. It has made us more efficient and allows us to spend more time at the bedside. It has built in risk management and decision support. Labs flow in automatically and orders flow out to the hospital information system. Our physicians love the system and would never think to go back to dictation or the hand written T-System.
What is the schedule like?
All physicians are on a schedule template with only 7 night shifts every 14 weeks. Physicians also have every other weekend completely off. From day one, the template is fair and equitable for all physicians. To help you plan your time off, the schedule template goes out 2 years. PAs and NPs work 4 ten hour shifts per week with every other weekend off.
What are your are the hours of the Fast Track and who works there?
Open seven days a week from 0900 until 0100. The Fast Track is staffed by MLPs and nurse/techs with close physician supervision. MLPs work in the main ED from 0100 until 0600. The Fast Track has double coverage during peak times (1100-1900).
What are nurses and techs and like?
We are fully staffed by dedicated ED nurses and ED techs with a management team in place for greater than 7 years. We currently do not use travelers or agency nurses. The comradery between the nurse and physicians is outstanding.
How is the compensation?
The compensation is very, very competitive and performance based. Physicians are hospital employees and receive a very nice benefits package including malpractice insurance, health, dental, disability, on site child care, concierge service , long term care, 403b, 457(b), 7 weeks paid time off per year, wellness program, and defined contribution pension plan. MLPs also have a very competitive salary, similar benefits package and are incentive based.
How many clinical hours do physicians and MLPs work?
Physicians work 1620 clinical hours per year. Shifts vary by campus and are from 9-12 hours. Night shifts are 8-12 hours long. MLPs work 10 hour shifts. Shift length and hours vary by campus.
What technology do you employ?
We have a ED ultrasound (sonosite) see ED US page, Fuji PACS, Cerner life time clinical repository, wireless throughout ED, Empower Complete EDIS with CPOE and results reporting. We also have a tonopen, EZ- IO, new Slit lamp, surgical lights in all new rooms, 2 all digital ED radiology rooms, Tracemaster for EKG viewing, LIfenet prehospital EKG transmission for STEMI, Pan-Optic Ophthalmoscope, Gyno-Cart, McGrath video intubating scope, and a new 64 slice CT scanner in the ER. PCPs and consultants can also view the ED record as well as radiology studies from their office or home in real time. ED charts are faxed or emailed to PCPs automatically upon patient discharge.
Do you have PACS digital radiology in the ED and 24/7 radiologist reading of advanced imaging?
Yes and Yes. X-ray, CT, U/S, and MRI films are available to view in the ED seconds after they are shot. On site attending radiologists read the advanced images from 0700 until 2200. Nighthawk services reads the advanced imaging from 2200-0700. Radiologists are always on call for issues, consults or angiography. Private attendings can also view x-rays and advanced imaging form their offices, home or mobile devices. Discharge summaries, consults and operative notes are available on line in seconds.
What attendings are in house 24/7?
Anesthesia. hospitalists and OB/GYN attendings are in house 24/7.
Are any cases transferred?
Complex pediatric cases, and multi- trauma patients are transferred.
Are our physicans and MLPs happy?
Yes. We have had minimal turnover in the last 10 years.
Are our patients happy?
Yes. We have the highest customer satisfaction scores ever and continue to look for ways to better meet our customers needs. We have an ED greeter 24/7. We have free ED valet parking, free coffee and soft drinks and a strong service recovery program.
Any other unigue opportunities?
You have the ability to earn extra income in the hyperbaric and wound care clinic. There are also various research, admin, and teaching opportunities.
