Family Medicine
The P4-P5 clinics represent an important initiative in the healthcare system to efficiently manage urgent medical cases while alleviating congestion in hospital emergency rooms. The concept of these clinics is directly linked to the triage conducted by the 811 telephone service, which is often the first line of contact for patients with health issues that require immediate attention but are not considered life-threatening emergencies.
The process begins when the patient calls 811, where they are assessed by a healthcare professional trained in triage. Depending on the severity and nature of the situation, the professional may direct the patient to a P4-P5 clinic. These clinics are specially equipped and staffed to handle cases deemed urgent but non-critical, such as minor infections, minor injuries, or complications from chronic diseases that require prompt intervention but not necessarily the resources of a hospital emergency department.
By directing patients to P4-P5 clinics, the system aims to provide a quicker and more specialized response, thus reducing waiting times and improving the overall efficiency of treatment. This also allows emergency departments to focus on more severe and critical cases, optimizing the use of hospital resources and improving patient care across the healthcare network.