And while baby Ashley's visit to the KHMH was a legit emergency, on an average about 80 patients visit the hospital's emergency ward daily. What's interesting is that only about 20 or 30 of those patients require urgent attention. For the other 50 patients there is now a non-urgent care ward at the hospital. The KHMH's Chief of Staff Dr. Fernando Cuellar explains.
Dr. Fernando Cuellar, KHMH Medical Chief of Staff
“Non-urgent is that which if not attended to immediately will not put in any danger the person’s life or lead to any serious complication if not attended to within minutes.”
KS: So say for example if I sprain my foot and I can still walk and it pains me?
Dr. Fernando Cuellar,
“Exactly especially if you sprained your yesterday or earlier this morning or last night playing basketball then you would find that this is the type of facility you would be seen in. Or if you have a headache, or diarrhea or abdominal pain, or a little flu syndrome you could access this area.”
The non-urgent ward opens next week. The cost will be $10 for a visit though the hospital stresses that no will be refused service.