CONCORD TWP., AUGUST 23, 2010 - On August 2 Lake Health began posting its ER wait times on Twitter. Twitter is a popular social media site that allows you to communicate with "followers" using short updates. Every two hours Lake Health sends one update with the wait times for both ERs at West Medical Center in Willoughby and TriPoint Medical Center in Concord Township. If a situation occurs to dramatically change the wait time at either facility, Lake Health will send an update immediately. Lake Health's wait times are based on arrival to bed.

Following Lake Health on Twitter will give community members an understanding of the average wait time at each facility; it will also give consumers an idea of the busiest times of day in the Emergency Departments. "Lake Health recommends calling 9-1-1 in medical emergencies. However, when you need to use an ER for minor mishaps, knowing the wait time in advance can be helpful," said Andrea Wasdovich, RN, vice president of Emergency Services.

Lake Health is the first health care system in the Greater Cleveland area to post ER wait times on Twitter. On average between 8 am and 8 pm, Lake Health has less than a 15 minute wait in the TriPoint and West ERs. "We know it's stressful to wait for care in an ER and we have taken steps to reduce the wait time," said Wasdovich. "For example, both ERs offer a Thru Care area so patients with minor injuries or illnesses can receive care faster."

To follow Lake Health on Twitter, visit www.twitter.com/LakeHealth or use the handle @LakeHealth.