Admission and Discharge

After being evaluated by an emergency department physician you or your loved one will either be admitted to the hospital or treated and discharged home. Due to the unpredictable nature of emergency care, scheduling can change quickly in the emergency department, so it may be difficult for us to tell you how soon your test or procedure will take place. Please be assured that we will communicate with you regularly and will provide answers to you questions as quickly and accurately as possible.

Please note that you may not be able to drive yourself home if you have been given certain medications. You may need to arrange for a ride.

If you are admitted to the hospital you will be transferred to an inpatient unit as soon as possible.

Triage

We want you to know that we use a triage system rather than a first-come, first-served system when patients enter the emergency department. Some patients arrive at the emergency department seriously ill or severely injured and need to be treated immediately. The triage system ensures that people whose condition is life threatening receive care immediately. The triage nurse will ask about your symptoms, your medical problems, and might take your temperature, pulse and blood pressure. If the triage nurse determines that your condition is not immediately life threatening, you will be brought to the appropriate area of care within the emergency department, as soon as possible.

We understand that you or your family member may be uncomfortable while you wait and we appreciate your patience.