Emergency Room Care
An emergency is a serious symptom or medical condition that is caused by an illness or injury. Most emergency departments are open 24/7, as patients may arrive any time of the day or night. In deciding whether to seek treatment at an emergency department, consider the seriousness of the condition and symptoms. For serious injuries or medical conditions, you should go to an emergency room. The conditions that need care in an emergency department include, but are not limited to:
- Signs and symptoms of a stroke, including sudden numbness in an extremity
- Symptoms of a heart attack, including chest pain and/or shortness of breath
- Seizures or loss of consciousness
- Severe injuries, such as fractures or head trauma
- Vomiting or coughing up blood
- Deep cuts or bleeding that won’t stop
- Severe burns
- Severe abdominal pain
When You Arrive at the ER
You’ll pass through a metal detector upon entering the ER, and after that you will speak with a registration clerk who will take your information and why you are there, and then direct you to have a seat in the waiting room until the triage nurse is available to assess you. A triage nurse is a nurse specially trained in emergency care. He or she will ask about your problem and will also check your temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. You may be asked to wait if other patients come in who may have a more urgent problem. If you feel that your condition has changed while you are waiting, let the triage nurse know.
What to Expect in the ER
The ER is a department in a hospital or medical center that is designated to treat emergency situations. Unlike a doctor's office, you don't need an appointment, but that means many people may need treatment at the same time. Patients in the ER are not seen in the order of arrival, instead, the most urgent problems are treated first, and this is called triage. An ER will address and treat urgent issues and may not address every complaint you have if it is not an immediate threat to you.
Some patients may receive treatment in our waiting room and if their symptoms improve, they may be discharged home without being in a room with a bed in the Emergency Department. This could include receiving some medications to help manage symptoms while the patient is waiting and ordering tests that are needed to help further diagnose the patient. These tests could include blood work, X-rays, CT scans, and more.
Once a patient has completed the triage process and received initial treatment and testing, the patient will wait for test results before staff can determine next steps. If it is determined that a patient needs to be admitted to the hospital, they may be moved to an Emergency Department room until a room in the hospital is available.
Your Emergency Care
In the ER, a doctor or team of doctors, nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and nurses will care for you. It is important to note that while you may not see a doctor, they are always reviewing the patient charts and providing direction and advice to the NPs, PAs, and nurses.
You may have X-rays, blood work, or other tests. You will need to wait for the results of any tests you have. You also may wait to see a doctor who specializes in treating your problem. In the meantime, you will be made as comfortable as possible. If your condition changes, let your doctor or nurse know right away. If they don’t feel it is safe for you to be discharged, they may ask to admit you. If this happens, you will stay in the ER and be cared for until a bed is available on a medical unit. If they tell you they want to keep you for observation, but not for admission to the hospital, have someone check with your health insurance company about whether that service is covered. If the ER is VERY busy, it is possible that testing, lab work, and treatment may all happen while you are in the waiting room so that you don’t need to wait as long.
Being Discharged from the ER
You may be admitted to the hospital if you are very ill or need further evaluation or treatment. But you often can be treated right in the ER. Before a friend or family member takes you home, you'll be given written instructions about how to care for yourself. You may also be given prescriptions for any medicines you need. Be sure to ask your doctor or nurse if you have any questions about the care you received, additional instructions about the care you need after ER discharge, or about your prescriptions.
McLaren Now+Clinic Virtual Visits
See a board certified physician using secure video anytime, anywhere on your smartphone, tablet, or computer with a webcam. McLarenNow virtual visits are available for urgent care situations such as coronavirus screening, cold, flu, minor injuries, illness or skin conditions.
Start your visit click here
Learn More
Access Your Tests and Health Records Through MyMcLarenChart
If you do not already have an account, you can sign up here.