Streamlined Treatment & Evaluation Pathway (STEP)

A streamlined Emergency Department care option for minor illnesses and injuries

What is STEP?

STEP is a dedicated care pathway for patients with minor illnesses and injuries. It helps to reduce wait times and improve your care experience by streamlining the process before you arrive.

STEP helps everyone by providing faster care for minor concerns and allowing the ED to focus on higher-acuity patients.

Who Can Use STEP?

If you have non-acute symptoms, you may be eligible for STEP. Common conditions include:

Respiratory symptoms
Minor limb injuries
Urinary tract infections

How it works

Complete the online survey
Answer a few quick questions to confirm your eligibility.
Receive your confirmation
If you are eligible for STEP, you’ll get a confirmation message with instructions.
Arrive at PRHC
Bring your confirmation to the Emergency Department triage desk.
Once triage confirms your eligibility, you’ll be directed to the STEP area in the Green Zone, where you’ll be seen by a dedicated physician on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you think you have a time-sensitive emergency, come to the Emergency Department immediately—do not wait until the next day.

When Is STEP Available?

A dedicated physician is now available to see patients with non-acute illnesses and injuries from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Once their eligibility is confirmed by triage, patients with a STEP confirmation through the online survey will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.

Why STEP Matters

PRHC’s Emergency Department sees over 75,000 visits annually — a new patient arrives at the ED every seven minutes. STEP is one of many initiatives to:

Reduce wait times
Improve patient experience
Support efficient care delivery

Check Wait Times Online

Use our Emergency Department wait-time clock for real-time updates and plan your visit with confidence.