Rumford Hospital and Bridgton Hospital, members of Central Maine Healthcare and the Prime Healthcare Foundation, have announced that their valued patients can now conveniently select an approximate arrival time for non-life-threatening emergency-room visits at Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital. FastTrackCare offers an enhanced emergency room experience, furthering the hospital’s mission to provide high-quality, compassionate care to patients where and when they need it.
The technology allows patients to select an approximate time-via the hospitals’ main webpage- to be seen in the Emergency Department. Patients fill out a brief, secure form, and no username or password is required. The tool can notify the patient if there is a change that may extend the wait time, and a notification can even be sent if there has been a reduction in surge to encourage an earlier arrival time.
Importantly, FastTrackCare is intended only for non-life or limb-threatening emergencies. In a life-threatening emergency, patients should call 911 immediately.
“This online scheduling tool remains an important part of our mission to improve access to care and enhance the patient experience,” said Stephany Jacques, RN, MSN, president of Rumford Hospital and Bridgton Hospital. “Our hospitals are deeply committed to the the Lakes Region and River Valley, and we are continually working to expand access and bring the most innovative and needed medical services closer to home.”
The easy-to-use tool provides added convenience for those with non-life-threatening medical needs. While appointments cannot be explicitly guaranteed due to the variable nature of an emergency department, the tool still allows patients insight into current wait times and increases communication through the notification features.
For critical symptoms, such as severe injury, chest pain, shortness of breath, or signs of stroke or heart attack, community members are encouraged, as always, to call 911.
How FastTrackCare Works:
- Patients complete a brief, secure form in English or Spanish; no username or password is required.
- The system assigns the next available time slot and reserves the patient’s place in line.
- A confirmation with details and directions is sent immediately.
- Real-time notifications alert patients if changing conditions affect the expected arrival time.
For more information, or to reserve an ED arrival time, visit Bridgton Hospital – Central Maine Healthcare or Rumford Hospital – Central Maine Healthcare.