As a patient in the Emergency Department (ED) you will be cared for by
a team of highly skilled professionals.
These may include:
Medical Doctor (MD or DO) - He or she has overall responsibility for your care. A doctor sees each
and every patient. Doctors communicate with laboratory, x-ray, ambulance
personnel, as well as doctors and other staff when necessary.
List of Providers
Registered Nurse (RN) - A licensed healthcare professional who is supervised by an ED doctor.
He or she is skilled in identifying health issues, treating emergency
medical conditions, communicating with the doctor and assisting you toward
a full recovery. Nurses often facilitate communication among other areas
such as laboratory, x-ray and ambulance personnel.
Treatment Treatment occurs in one of our 12 private treatment rooms or two trauma
rooms. Once in the treatment area a nurse is assigned to be your primary
care coordinator. The ED doctor will evaluate your condition and order
any necessary tests such as blood work or x-rays. The doctor may also
contact your personal physician or medical provider. You will be asked
the same questions many times - this is to ensure accurate, safe and appropriate care.
When test results are available, the ED doctor will review them and discuss
them with you. He or she will also develop and discuss with you a treatment
plan based on the test results. Most patients are treated and released
but it may be necessary to be admitted to the hospital or transferred
to another facility for further care.
What happens at discharge?
You could be discharged and sent home, admitted to the hospital or transferred
to another facility, depending on the appropriate course of care for you.
If you are discharged to go home, you will receive instructions on how
to care for yourself, referred to another doctor or advised to follow-up
with your regular doctor.
You will also be given a phone number to call if you continue having problems.
You may need to return to the emergency care department if you experience
additional problems.
You are responsible for your own transportation home.
