EIRMC Displays ER Wait Times

Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center is boosting its transparency these days, to let the public know just how long of a wait to expect at the emergency room.

In early January, the hospital launched a digital billboard on Yellowstone Highway, along with a new widget on its web page and a text service.

What’s displayed reflects the average “Door to Doc” time over the past four hours. That means how long it’s taking patients to see a physician from the time they arrive.

EIRMC spokeswoman Cindy Smith-Putnam said the hospital wants to set the record straight and debunk some advertisements that suggest people should leave town to seek care elsewhere.

“Those were supported by just claims, and an implication that bigger cities of Idaho Falls and Pocatello must be slow,” said Smith-Putnam. “This was our chance to say, ‘Actually it’s not what you think.'”

EIRMC said these wait times are not an absolute guarantee. Life-threatening emergencies will always been addressed right away.