Emergency Care

In medical emergencies, time is critical. It is comforting to know that expert medical help is just moments away. From minor injuries and illnesses to acute cardiac and respiratory complications, our staff of nurses and board certified physicians are ready to provide the best in care 24 hours daily.

Check in at any of our emergency departments and a member of our clinical care team will see you right away.

What to Expect

Step 1: Triage

This is where patients are prioritized according to the severity of their illness or injury. As soon as you arrive, you'll want to go to the registration desk, where we'll ask some basic questions. You'll then be classified into one of the three categories:

• Emergent: an injury or illness requiring immediate attention to avoid risk of life or limb
• Urgent: an injury or illness requiring attention within four hours
• Non-Urgent: an injury or illness that has an undetermined time frame for treatment

All patients are important to us, but priority must be given to Emergent or Urgent patients. However, at times when we have few patients, you may be taken to an exam room immediately. If you feel that your condition has changed while you are waiting, please notify the triage nurse so that you may be reassessed.

When the triage nurse examines you, he or she may initiate treatment based upon established medical protocols related to your illness or injury, such as X-rays, collecting blood or urine samples, and application of ice packs or wound dressing. The triage nurse cannot treat pain without a physicians' order.

Step 2: Medical Exam

Once you've been placed in an exam room, a nurse, physician, or physician's assistant will be assigned to care for you. Additional diagnostic lab work or testing also may be performed during this time.

Step 3: Disposition

Once your testing is complete, a decision will be made to either admit you to the hospital or discharge you (skip to Step 5).

Step 4: Admission

If you're admitted to the hospital, a physician will be contacted to complete the admission process. Family and loved ones of patients will be given information about the condition of the patient and location of a nearby waiting area.

Step 5: Discharge

When you're discharged, instructions for your care and follow-up with a physician will be provided.

Bon Secours is committed to making your wait in the Emergency Department as brief as possible. Please do not hesitate to ask questions of your nurse, physician, or physician's assistant. We'll make every effort to keep you informed about your treatment plan.