A proposal for the creation of a Rapid Response Unit (CRI), submitted through the Executive Directorate of the National Health Service (SNS), aims to “enhance access and significantly improve response capability” of the “largest emergency” in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (AML), which handles about 450 attendances per day—around 350 at Fernando Fonseca Hospital (HFF) and 100 at Sintra Hospital (HS).
“The creation of this CRI is a crucial step in strengthening the response capability of the general and basic emergency services of ULS, reducing wait times and allowing for greater differentiation while improving working conditions for its professionals,” emphasized Carlos Sá, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ULS Amadora-Sintra, in a statement.
Among the planned measures is the implementation, by the end of the year, of a new process for patients categorized with blue, green, and yellow wristbands, supported by artificial intelligence tools to streamline service delivery.
“We are promoting a structural transformation that combines technology with organization and more stable teams, which enables enhanced teamwork and creates better conditions to attract and retain professionals in a particularly demanding service for our institution that deserves all our support,” remarked Carlos Sá.
According to the official, this is part of a strategy of “modernizing the ULS, which also includes the recent submission of the new Internal Regulation.”
The establishment of the CRI for General and Basic Emergency Services (CRIURG) will also attract and retain professionals, reduce dependence on external service providers, and ensure greater team stability.
According to Carlos Sá, the CRIURG will further contribute to “enhancing clinical differentiation, patient safety, and service performance, promoting more effective integration of care and close coordination with Primary Health Care and the Short-Stay Unit of ULS Amadora-Sintra.”
