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News Release

PeaceHealth Encourages Those With Non-emergent Health Issues To Consider Alternatives To Emergency Department For Care - 06/10/22

June 10, 2022

For Immediate Release

PeaceHealth encourages those with non-emergent health issues to consider alternatives to Emergency Department for care

Vancouver, WA - PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center is continuing to experience unprecedented patient volumes in its emergency department and in overall patient admissions to the hospital. If people are not experiencing life-threatening or emergent medical care, they are encouraged to seek care through their established primary care physician or at a same-day or urgent care clinic.

“If you have a concern about your health and feel like it’s an emergency, don’t wait for that,” says Eric Ferraris, MD, PeaceHealth Emergency Department physician. However, he adds that things like running out of medication is something more suited for your established primary care doctor. “Now if you have chest pain…or you’re short of breath with high blood pressure, please, that would be something we would want to see you for.” 

Emergency department volumes are up around the country according to Dr. Ferraris, and are due to numerous reasons, including staffing challenges at hospitals and other health facilities where patients leaving the emergency department are placed, including nursing homes and behavioral health facilities.

High patient volumes are resulting in extended wait times for those with less urgent medical needs. “I have been amazed and grateful that despite our long wait times, I would say predominantly the patients that I have seen have been gracious and understanding, and we very much appreciate that.”

PeaceHealth Medical Center Emergency Department is available 24/7 to provide immediate care for those experiencing life-threatening or emergent medical issues. For those patients needing care for minor medical issues, they are encouraged to contact their established primary care provider or consider visiting PeaceHealth Memorial Urgent Care.

Links to sound bites from Emergency Department physician, Eric Ferraris, MD, https://peacehealth.widen.net/s/cqrlljncrx/dr.-eric-ferraris---er-rates


About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a group practice with more than 1,200 providers and 10 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.

PeaceHealth Encourages Those With Non-emergent Health Issues To Consider Alternatives To Emergency Department For Care - 06/10/22

June 10, 2022

For Immediate Release

PeaceHealth encourages those with non-emergent health issues to consider alternatives to Emergency Department for care

Vancouver, WA - PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center is continuing to experience unprecedented patient volumes in its emergency department and in overall patient admissions to the hospital. If people are not experiencing life-threatening or emergent medical care, they are encouraged to seek care through their established primary care physician or at a same-day or urgent care clinic.

“If you have a concern about your health and feel like it’s an emergency, don’t wait for that,” says Eric Ferraris, MD, PeaceHealth Emergency Department physician. However, he adds that things like running out of medication is something more suited for your established primary care doctor. “Now if you have chest pain…or you’re short of breath with high blood pressure, please, that would be something we would want to see you for.” 

Emergency department volumes are up around the country according to Dr. Ferraris, and are due to numerous reasons, including staffing challenges at hospitals and other health facilities where patients leaving the emergency department are placed, including nursing homes and behavioral health facilities.

High patient volumes are resulting in extended wait times for those with less urgent medical needs. “I have been amazed and grateful that despite our long wait times, I would say predominantly the patients that I have seen have been gracious and understanding, and we very much appreciate that.”

PeaceHealth Medical Center Emergency Department is available 24/7 to provide immediate care for those experiencing life-threatening or emergent medical issues. For those patients needing care for minor medical issues, they are encouraged to contact their established primary care provider or consider visiting PeaceHealth Memorial Urgent Care.

Links to sound bites from Emergency Department physician, Eric Ferraris, MD, https://peacehealth.widen.net/s/cqrlljncrx/dr.-eric-ferraris---er-rates


About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a group practice with more than 1,200 providers and 10 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.