Emergency Department Visit
Visiting an Emergency Department (ED) can be a scary, traumatic, and stressful experience. Knowing what to expect beforehand can help reduce anxiety and make the visit smoother if you or a loved one needs emergency care. The Emergency Department is also commonly called the Emergency Room.
The American College of Emergency Physicians recommends keeping an easily accessible file containing:
- Copies of your insurance cards
- A list of your current medications
- A list of your allergies, especially medication allergies
- A list of your chronic conditions and past surgeries
Keep this file somewhere you and anyone helping with your care can easily access. You can also include recent laboratory results or other test results. Having this information available can save time during your ED visit.
What to Expect when you Visit
Here’s what you can expect when visiting the Emergency Department at Sullivan County Memorial Hospital:
- Arrival: We work hard to see all Emergency Department patients as soon as possible.
- Triage assessment: A nurse will typically check your vital signs and assess your symptoms and current condition. This assessment helps determine the priority of your care.
- Physician evaluation: After triage, a physician will see you once you are settled into your room. We see everyone as quickly as we can.
- Testing and results: If you need laboratory testing or radiology exams, results may take one to one and a half hours. Your physician will review the results to help determine your diagnosis and treatment. If testing is needed, be prepared for a visit lasting at least two hours.
- Reviewing your treatment plan: Once your test results are available, you will be reassessed and your treatment plan will be discussed with you.
- Going home: If you are discharged, a nurse will prepare your discharge instructions and explain your diagnosis and care instructions before you leave.
- Hospital admission: If you are admitted, your physician will explain your diagnosis and treatment plan. A nurse will arrange your room, help prepare you for the transfer, and explain the planned next steps in your care.
- Continuing your care: Once you are settled into your hospital room, the nursing team in that department will take over your care.
Sullivan County Memorial Hospital is here to care for you.