How to determine whether a medical problem is an emergency
The Emergency Department (ED) uses a system of triage that enables us to treat the most critically ill or seriously injured patients first. Emergency nurses and physicians review and revise triage guidelines annually to ensure all emergencies are addressed appropriately. Specially trained ED staff members are dedicated to providing expert, quality care in emergency situations, and are there to provide care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay for services.
Whether patients are taken to the ED in a private vehicle, or transported by medical ambulance or helicopter, they can be assured their healthcare needs will be addressed promptly and appropriately.
To minimize wait times and ensure proper treatment, please use the following guidelines when making a decision to seek emergency or urgent care.
An emergency is any sudden or serious condition that requires medical attention within a minute to several hours. An emergency may be life-threatening.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Sudden loss of breath
- Severe bleeding
- Chest pain
- Seizures
- Deep cuts
- Broken bones
- Poisoning from chemicals or drugs, or an overdose
An urgent care need is any condition that requires care within several hours and is not life-threatening. Patients with the most severe symptoms will be seen first.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Persistent high fever
- Vomiting
- Severe ear infection
- Severe sore throat
- Insect bite or sudden rash
Often, a patient waiting to see a healthcare professional may grow impatient. Please remember that those with more serious injuries or illnesses are being treated first, even if you arrived to the ED before they did. If a patient feels his or her condition is worsening, alert the triage nurse for a re-evaluation of status.
Be proactive and reduce emergency care visits by following these simple steps:
- Whenever possible, seek care from a primary care physician before an illness or injury worsens.
- Get a flu shot, especially if the patient is elderly or has chronic health problems such as heart disease, emphysema or asthma.
- Visit a free-standing urgent care center for conditions that are not true emergencies.
- If a bad cough or a fever of 101 degrees is the symptom, do not go to work and risk infecting others.
- Wash your hands frequently to avoid the spread of germs.
- If possible, talk to your primary care physician before going to the ED. He or she may be able to give you advice over the telephone, preventing a trip to the hospital.
If emergency care is needed, bring any medications you are taking with you, and have your medical history and insurance information current and available.
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