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We’re here for you 24/7. Learn more
about our emergency services at
www.columbiamemorial.org
.
You should go directly to an emergency
department if you have di!culty
breathing, shortness of breath, chest or
upper abdominal pain, fainting, sudden
dizziness or weakness, changes in
vision, mental confusion, uncontrolled
bleeding, severe or unusual abdominal
pain, suicidal feelings, or if you are
coughing or vomiting blood.
If you think your medical condition is
life-threatening or that it could worsen
on the way to the hospital, don’t take
chances by driving. Call 911 and have
emergency medical providers come to
you.
Source: American College of Emergency Physicians
A
trip to the emergency room
usually comes as a surprise.
Fortunately, once you get there,
there are certain things you can
count on.
You can expect:
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Triage.
In most cases, when you
arrive in the emergency room, you’ll
be seen by a triage nurse whose job
is to prioritize emergencies. People
who need medical attention the most
get it the fastest.
+e nurse will check what’s
wrong, ask about your symptoms
and take your vital signs. He or she
may also do minor $rst aid, such as
apply an ice pack or clean a wound.
If you are unconscious, brought
in by an ambulance or otherwise
need immediate treatment, you’ll
be assigned a bed and treated right
away.
On the other hand, if your
condition is not life-threatening
and the emergency room is full, you
may be asked
to wait while
the sta# helps
more seriously
ill patients.
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Treatment.
A doctor will do a physical exam and
may order tests, such as x-rays, an
electrocardiogram, or blood or urine
samples. Many emergencies are
treated in the emergency room but,
if required, you may be admitted to
the hospital.
When you’re discharged from
the emergency room, you’ll receive
written instructions about how to
care for your illness or injury. +e
instructions will also tell you what
to do if it gets worse and whether or
not you should follow up with your
primary care doctor. You may also
get a prescription.
When it’s an emergency
Plan ahead for the unexpected
EMERGENCIES
The patient’s role
To make the best of your visit to
an emergency room, the American
College of
Emergency
Physicians
advises you
to:
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Bring a
medical history form, if possible.
Forms are available online at
www.columbiamemorial.org
.
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Tell the triage nurse if you have any
chronic health problems or allergies
or if you take any medications.
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Be honest about your symptoms.
Don’t understate them, and don’t
leave any out.
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Let the triage nurse know if your
condition gets worse while you’re
waiting.
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Don’t eat or drink anything until a
doctor or nurse says it’s OK—doing
so may interfere with test results or
surgery.
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Ask questions if there’s anything
you don’t understand. +e doctors
and nurses are there to help.
www . columbiamemorial . org
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