Fast Track: One hospital’s journey

SummaryThis paper is the first of two articles discussing the implementation and evaluation of an innovative Fast Track process. This current paper explains how one metropolitan hospital identified the need to establish Fast Track in their Emergency Department and the journey that was taken to implement the initiative. The other paper presents the findings of the evaluation of the Fast Track process over a twelve month time frame.Fast Track is the treatment of minor injuries and illnesses by designated clinicians within the Emergency Department. The model was based upon the available literature from studies on Fast Track and “See and Treat” conducted in the United Kingdom, North America and Australia, and was adapted to address the type of presentations arriving at the hospital’s Emergency Department. The initial change management process lasted twelve months and as a result Fast Track has revolutionised the way many patients are treated in the Emergency Department. Furthermore, Fast Track has provided nurses with the opportunity to achieve advanced skills in the areas of suturing and plastering.