The 30 Minute ER Pledge at St. Rita's is the first commitment of its kind in West Central Ohio, reflecting the Medical Center's commitment to quality care with a quick response. Similar emergency service guarantees have been successfully implemented in other hospitals around the country.

"We have always believed in putting patients' needs first," says Dr. William Tucker, Medical Director of Emergency and Trauma Services at St. Rita's Medical Center. "Naturally that means we must offer the best quality care possible, and that we must be respectful of their time. We understand that patients want to begin having their injury or illness treated as soon as possible. Efficient, effective care is what defines quality emergency medicine, and that is what the 30 Minute ER Pledge is all about."

If a patient waits longer than 30 minutes at St. Rita's, they will be offered a choice of a $25 prepaid Speedway gas card, a $25 Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce gift certificate redeemable at a variety of participating area stores and restaurants, or the option to have a $25 donation made in their name to the St. Rita's Health Care Foundation.

"We've always been proud of our commitment to providing the best service possible," says Dr. Tucker. "In recent months we have increased our resources, streamlined our processes and upgraded our communications technology within the hospital so that it is now possible to offer the 30 Minute ER Pledge."