What happens in the emergency department

To provide the best possible treatment to our patients, our emergency departments follow a highly organized system known as triage. In triage, the patients with the more urgent medical conditions are seen first. This means that a patient having a heart attack will be seen sooner than someone with a sprained ankle, regardless of arrival time.

Here is a typical ER visit:

• After you explain your emergency, a triage nurse will assess your condition.
• You will be asked to wait or go immediately to an exam room, depending on the severity of your illness or injury.
• Once inside the exam room, a nurse will ask you a few questions and then fill out paperwork for the doctor to review.
• The doctor will examine you as soon as possible and order tests as needed.
• Your tests, such as X-rays, blood analysis or CT scans, will be performed and then evaluated by a specialist.
• Your ER doctor will review your test results with you and explain next steps in your care.
• Your care may include being seen by an on-call specialist, such as a cardiologist or surgeon; being admitted to the hospital; or receiving care in the ER and then being discharged.
• If you are sent home, you will be advised to follow up with your personal physician. We will give you a referral to a physician if you do not have one.