Rewiring Patient Flow to Ontario’s Hospitals ➰

The Problem 😷

Ontario’s emergency rooms (ERs) are facing unprecedented wait times. With a surge in visits, an aging population, and overwhelmed hospitals, the situation is only getting worse. As Ontario’s population is projected to grow by 30% over the next 25 years, our healthcare system is struggling to provide timely and quality care.

The Solution 🌐

Traditional fixes focus on individual hospitals but quickly become overwhelmed by rising patient numbers. That’s where FLOW comes in, offering a unique approach by leveraging the differences in wait times between hospitals within the same city.

FLOW is a patient-centric app that combines live hospital wait times with driving times, providing a centralized platform for patients to find the fastest care. By showing both wait and drive times, FLOW helps patients choose the best hospital to visit, potentially transforming how patient flow is managed in Ontario’s healthcare system.

How It Works 📱

  1. Live Data Integration: FLOW uses your location to generate a list of hospitals sorted by the shortest cumulative drive and wait times.
  2. Comprehensive Information: Clicking on each hospital provides more detailed statistics, like queue length and additional features such as urgent care and walk-in clinic wait times.
  3. Tech Implementation: FLOW will collaborate with hospitals lacking wait time technology to implement tracking services, centralizing all data on the app for easy access.

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Why It Matters 💡

Non-emergency cases account for approximately 23% of ER visits. By providing real-time information on urgent care and walk-in clinics, FLOW can help reduce unnecessary ER crowding. Partnering with Health Connect Ontario, FLOW will guide patients to the appropriate care level, reducing ER congestion and improving patient outcomes.

Feasibility and Impact 🌟

With available ER wait time tracking technology and the Google Maps API, FLOW is a cost-effective solution. The app’s non-intrusive design ensures easy integration with various hospital systems, making it a viable option for widespread adoption.

If just 10% of Ontarians download FLOW, it could cut average wait times for a physician by 50% and reduce the average wait time for an inpatient bed by 31%. FLOW’s potential extends beyond the ER, promising a more efficient healthcare system across Ontario.

Join Us on This Journey 🚀

As we develop and refine FLOW, we’re excited about the positive change it can bring to our community and beyond. Our team is committed to making FLOW a reality and we believe it can significantly improve the healthcare experience for all Ontarians.

Get Involved and Stay Connected 📢

We welcome any collaboration or partnership opportunities, especially if you have access to hospital data or know someone who does. Please reach out to us at ontario.flow@gmail.com.

Follow our journey and stay updated on our progress through our social media channels:

Together, let’s revolutionize healthcare with FLOW! 🚀