By Jason Mago

The Medical City (TMC) marked a significant milestone on 30 June with the formal launch of its expanded Emergency Care Unit in Ortigas, a move that positions the hospital as a frontrunner in transforming how emergency care is delivered in the Philippines.

Attended by Department of Health (DoH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, the unveiling of the facility was not only a showcase of cutting-edge clinical systems but also a bold declaration of operational efficiency: TMC is now committing to treat, admit, or discharge patients from the emergency room within just four hours.

The launch reflects TMC’s broader investment strategy to raise the quality of medical service and strengthen public confidence in private healthcare amid rising demand.

FastER system

Under the FastER system, the upgraded Emergency Room is designed not only to speed up critical decision-making, but also to reduce crowding, optimize bed usage, and ensure safer patient flow — key business performance indicators in hospital management.

A major driver behind this transformation is Dr. Stuart Bennett himself, an emergency medicine specialist who brings over a decade of clinical experience to his role as TMC president and Group CEO.

TMC’s reimagined ER model

In an interview with the DAILY TRIBUNE, Bennett said physician-led triage and operational transparency are foundational to the hospital’s reimagined ER model.

“If the doctor sees the patient within the first five to ten minutes, it completely changes the way in which care is delivered. It means they get access to potentially life-saving treatments earlier on,” he said.

“You cannot achieve a four-hour waiting time without doctor-led triage.”

The streamlined layout of the ER divides patients into specialized zones — Emergent, Urgent, Non-Urgent, Trauma, Isolation and Mental Health High Dependency Secure Area — ensuring that the right resources are focused where they’re needed most.

To support throughput, the hospital has added more beds and staff and now uses a real-time tracking and alert system to monitor wait times and accelerate medical decisions.

Heart attack care is Phl’s 1st

TMC’s new ER also reflects its growing emphasis on differentiated clinical programs.

Its heart attack care system is the first in the Philippines and among only 12 globally certified by Joint Commission International, while its stroke program has earned a 5-star rating from the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology.

Beyond infrastructure and innovation, the initiative also signals TMC’s strategic push to integrate more meaningfully with the public health sector.

Bennett shared that his discussions with Secretary Herbosa centered on dismantling silos between government and private providers.

“We’re really trying to change that message,” he said.

“We’re very happy to work with the Department of Health. We’re very happy to work with PhilHealth. Whoever is able to assist us with our mission — and whoever we are able to help with theirs — we’re willing to do that.”

The project is one of the first under Bennett’s leadership and reflects a broader repositioning of TMC not just as a premier hospital, but as a system-wide health innovator.

New standard

As the private healthcare landscape shifts post-pandemic, TMC’s ER expansion may set a new standard for how efficiency, collaboration, and patient-centered design drive both clinical and commercial outcomes.

“Every Filipino deserves access to timely, quality care,” Bennett said.

“And this new ER is just the beginning.”