Emergency Services

We want to take excellent care of everyone who comes to us for treatment – and that includes seeing you shortly after you arrive. A qualified medical professional will assess your symptoms soon after your arrival. Patients classified as needing immediate attention or "critically ill" are seen first. This means we may see another patient before you – even if they come into the ER after you. However, you or your family will receive the same excellent care we gave those who were seen before you. If, at any time, your condition or the condition of your loved one changes, please inform a member of our team right away.

Absolutely, we understand a visit to the ER can be scary and the support of your family members or friends may reduce that fear. However, when we are experiencing high-patient volumes, we do limit patients to no more than one visitor, as we do require access to patients, equipment, and staff when a life-threatening situation happens. If you have additional visitors you require, we ask them to remain in the waiting room, and our team of caregivers and liaisons will make every effort to keep them informed of your condition.

We prefer you not have anything to eat or drink while waiting for care, as this may prevent us from performing certain tests or procedures that may be needed to diagnose your condition. We also ask that friends/family do not bring food or drinks to the ER. Additionally, we recommend you check with the nurse who assessed your condition at triage before using the restroom in case a specimen is needed.

Our goal is to manage your pain appropriately based on your condition. We recognize not all pain can be completely eliminated and so our goal is to use a pain scale and assessment to help manage your pain to a tolerable level.

Your ER provider may order tests to help make an accurate diagnosis. Once all the tests are in, the physician will return and discuss the results with you and how they impact your care plan. Commonly-ordered tests and approximate wait time you might experience include:

• Blood Test: 60-90 minutes
• Urine Test: 30-60 minutes
• X-Rays: 45-90 minutes
• Ultrasound: 45-90 minutes
• Cat Scan: 45 minutes to 2 ½ hours