January 15, 2020 – Similar to most hospitals across the nation, Southeast
Georgia Health System’s Brunswick and Camden campuses are currently
experiencing much higher than normal patient volumes and longer
emergency room wait times.
“We are experiencing unusually high occupancy on our inpatient units
as well as increased volumes of patients seeking care from our Emergency
Care Centers,” says
Judith Henson, R.N., BSN, MSA, vice president, Patient Care Services. “As a result, patients are
experiencing extended wait times. We are advising patients who need medical
care but who are not experiencing an emergency or life-threatening illness
to consider seeking care from places other than the Health System’s
emergency rooms.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health departments
in 46 states reported “widespread” flu activity the last week
of December, and Georgia is among the states hardest hit.
Southeast Georgia Health System’s Brunswick Campus
Emergency Care Center reported 197 positive flu cases in December 2019, as opposed to only 36
cases in December 2018; the Camden Campus Emergency Care Center reported
79 flu cases in December 2019 and only 17 in December 2018.
“Emergency Care Center patients are triaged for acuity and prioritized
for care and treatment,” adds Glenn Gann, R.N., MSN, director, Emergency
Care Center-Brunswick. “With the high patient volumes we’re
experiencing, it’s important that individuals who need medical care
but who are not experiencing an emergency or life-threatening illness
consider seeking care from our Immediate Care Centers or their physician’s
office. Individuals coming to the emergency room with flu or non-emergency
health conditions should be prepared for extended wait times.”
The Health System offers three Immediate Care Centers in Glynn County.
Patients can expect to experience shorter wait times by visiting the Immediate
Care Center instead of the Emergency Care Center, and the cost is much
lower as well. The Immediate Care Centers treat health conditions that
are not life-threatening but need prompt attention, such as minor injuries—sprains,
cuts, burns, bee stings, sunburns and foreign objects in the eye—and
minor illnesses, including cold and flu, respiratory infections, urinary
tract infections, fever, sore throat, earache, upset stomach and allergies.
Patients can also use “Save Your Spot,” an online appointment reservation system, to reserve an Immediate
Care Center appointment from a desktop or mobile device.
Save Your Spot gives patients the flexibility and comfort of waiting at home or work
instead of in the waiting room. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Glynn Immediate Care Center
3400 Parkwood Drive, Brunswick
912-466-5800
Glynco Immediate Care Center
15 Gable Court, Brunswick
912-466-5400
St. Simons Immediate Care Center
5000 Wellness Way, St. Simons Island
912-466-5900
“We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the longer wait times
and wish to stress that we are working diligently to attend to all patients,
emergency and inpatient, with safety and quality care at the forefront,”
Henson says. “Our staff and physicians are working very hard to
continue delivering the highest quality patient care as quickly and safely
as possible.”