Emergency Services
"What to Expect"
All patients who come to our Emergency Room (ER) will receive a medical screening exam performed by one of our qualified medical professionals.
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our registration clerks and asked to provide some basic demographic information (name, date of birth, etc.). You may also be asked to provide some form of identification (Driver’s License or photo ID). This will allow us to begin the registration process for you to receive care in the ER.
After signing in, you will have an assessment that will include vital signs, a brief history of your current problem, current medications and allergies. This information will be documented in your medical record. We do not see patients according to the time that they arrive in the ER, but according to the seriousness of their injury or illness. Please be aware that patients with less urgent conditions may have longer wait times if patients arrive with life-threatening or more serious injuries or illnesses.
As soon as a room becomes available, you will be escorted to a treatment room. If you are asked to wait in the waiting room until a treatment room becomes available:
- Let the admitting personnel know if there are any new symptoms or changes in your condition.
- Do not eat or drink anything before checking with the admitting personnel.
- Check with the admitting personnel before using the restroom in case a specimen is needed to help diagnose your condition.
Life after the ER: Following your physician's orders keeps you healthy
When you’re not feeling well and you’re surrounded by the hustle and bustle of an emergency room, it’s easy to be confused by what a physician is telling you. All you can think about is going home. That’s why many people are unclear about how to handle their care when they leave the hospital.
In reality, the care you receive at the hospital is just one important part of the puzzle. Knowing what to do next— and following those discharge instructions closely—is critical to getting better. Here’s what you need to do for the best health care results:
- Speak up. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re unsure of your condition, what treatments you were given, your test results or something in the discharge instructions—for example, whether a medication that’s been prescribed may interact with one you’re already taking. It’s best to ask the ER physician or nurse caring for you, rather than having to contact the ER later, when the physician you saw may no longer be on duty.
- Follow all medication dosages. Thoroughly read your discharge instructions. They should spell out what medications have been prescribed, what they treat and how often—and when—to take them.
- Follow up with your family physician or a specialist. You’ll especially need to do this if you’ve received stitches or a cast. Your discharge instructions will tell you when to go.
- Know when you should return to the ER. If your condition worsens or you’re noticing new symptoms, such as vomiting or shortness of breath, you should head back to the ER. If your condition isn’t life-threatening and it’s during your physician’s regular business hours, you may wish to consult him or her first.
How did we do?
When you check in to the ER, admitting personnel will ask you if it’s OK to follow up with you once you’re back home. If you agree to it, we’ll try to call you within 24 hours of your discharge, asking you six questions about your visit. At that time, if you don’t understand your discharge instructions or have any questions about your treatment, a nurse will call you back. This process, called Discharge Callback Administrator, or DCA, helps us improve the way we care for our patients and ensure that you’re on the road to recovery.