What to Expect
A visit to the Emergency Department is stressful for everyone involved. Not knowing what to expect makes the situation even more trying. To relieve some anxiety, we will try to provide answers on this page to some common questions and concerns regarding a visit to the Emergency Department.
What Happens When I First Arrive?
When you arrive in the Emergency Department, a triage nurse will evaluate your condition. “Triage” is the first stage of evaluating the type of illness or injury you have and its severity. If you have a life threatening condition, you will be taken to a treatment area where care will be administered immediately. If your condition is not life threatening, the triage nurse will collect information from you to be used by the physician and nurse treating you.
Questions you may be asked including the following:
- Do you suspect you are pregnant?
- What was the date of your last tetanus shot?
- Are you on medication?
- Are you allergic to any medication?
What Happens Next?
After your evaluation by a triage nurse, an Emergency staff member will prepare a chart for you. This chart will include information such as your name, date of birth, and social security number. Also, you will be asked to sign a consent for treatment. After this chart has been completed, you may be asked to wait in an Emergency Department waiting area until an appropriate room is available.
Wait Time
Waiting to see the physician when you are sick or injured can be a very difficult and trying experience. At Woodland Heights Medical Center we try to make your wait as short and as pleasant as possible. Typically, we see patients on a first-come-first-serve basis. However, sometimes other circumstances prevent this from happening. Here are some reasons why:
Critical Care Patients
Because these patients are often in a life or death situation, we must treat these patients first—even if they arrive after our other patients whose conditions are less urgent.
Special Needs
Depending upon the specific needs of your illness or injury, you might be placed in a specialized treatment room. If these treatment rooms are occupied, you might have to wait longer than patients with other ailments until the room is ready for use. An example of this situation would be if you had a cut that needed stitches. A treatment room with specialized instruments has been designated for treating such an injury. If this room was being used, you would have to wait until it was cleaned before you could be treated.
Who will Provide my Medical Care?
At Woodland Heights Medical Center, you will receive medical care from a qualified physician trained in Emergency Medicine.
Treatment
You will receive treatment from highly qualified physicians and nurses who care about you and your well-being. They understand the anxiety that you have as a patient and will do their best to try to alleviate your concerns.
Additional Testing
In addition to your initial evaluation by a physician, the following items might also be used in determining your diagnosis and treatment.
- X-Ray processing
- Laboratory Test (blood Work)
If a decision is made to admit you to the hospital, it might be necessary to see your private physician first.
Visitors
One individual of your choice may accompany you while you are being treated. The only exception is during severe trauma cases. In this situation, the staff needs to devote its full attention to your needs as a patient; therefore, family and friends may be asked to remain in the waiting room.
After a Patient is Treated
After you have been treated, you will be monitored to make sure the treatment is successful. A staff member will go over written instructions regarding the care you need once you leave the hospital. You might be referred to a private physician for follow up care.
IF YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY OR ARE IN LABOR
You have the right to receive, within the capabilities of this hospital’s staff and facilities:
- An Appropriate Medical Screening Examination
- Necessary Stabilizing Treatment
(Including Treatment for an Unborn Child)
AND IF NECESSARY
- An Appropriate Transfer to Another Facility
EVEN IF
- You Cannot Pay or do not have Medical Insurance
OR
- You are Entitled to Medicare or Medicaid
This hospital does participate in the Medicaid Program
We hope that your visit to the Emergency Department at Woodland Heights will be as pleasant as possible. If you should have any other questions, please feel free to ask a member of our health care team.