Emergency Department patient’s process of care

We ask you to elect a family communicator. This one person is responsible for conveying information to others waiting for the patient and proving additional history about the patient to the doctor and nurse. This protects other patient’s privacy by preventing too many visitors.

You arrive at the Emergency Department.

You have been brought to the Emergency Department (ED) at a FirstHeath staffed by Sandhills Emergency Physicians.
Whether you arrived by ambulance (EMS) or private vehicle, you will be assessed right away by a highly trained nurse to determine the severity of your illness or injury. Patients with more serious and life threatening problems will be seen first. Unlike a doctor’s office, the ED does not accept appointments. Instead, ill or injured patients often arrive at the same time, causing a wait for those with less serious emergencies.

Your vital signs are taken in the triage area.

The nurse will take your temperature, blood pressure and pulse and a brief medical history. For small children, infants, and debilitated or elderly patients, a rectal temperature is taken for the most accurate information.
After being triaged by the nurse, you or your family should check in at the registration desk. If a bed is immediately available, you will be registered at the bedside. If a bed is not immediately available, you will be asked to sit in the waiting area until one becomes available and can be prepared for you. Please do not eat or drink anything.

You are placed in an ED bed.

You may be asked to undress and put on a hospital gown (the gown ties in the back) so that the doctor may do an exam. You may be attached to a monitoring device so that we may continually monitor your vital signs from the nursing station. The devices are very sensitive and may sound an alarm when you move. Periodically, your nurse and doctor will visit you, but in the meantime our technology allows us to observe you and is providing us with ongoing information about your progress.

The doctor examines you.

The Emergency Physician who sees you is a highly trained and skilled professional and will examine you as soon as possible after you are placed in a bed. However, the doctor may be delayed if more critical patients arrive unexpectedly.

Tests may be done.

The doctor will order tests or X-rays if they are necessary. Some tests require blood to be drawn, while others may require you to go to another department. A technician will take you if you must leave the ED. Getting the results of the tests/X-rays may take some time. If you do not understand a specific procedure, ask your nurse or doctor to explain.

Test results are explained and treatment recommended.

As soon as your lab work and Xray results are available, they will be explained to you. Sometimes, an additional test may be necessary.

You are treated

Depending on your particular emergency, your treatment may be simple or complex. The treatment, which may be carried out by the doctor or nurse, may consist of splints, bandages, IV’s, or medications. It may take a few minutes or several hours depending on your illness or injury and the presence of other critical patients.

You are admitted to the hospital or discharged to home.

The doctor will determine if you are to be discharged from the ED or admitted to the hospital. The emergency medicine specialist taking care of you may speak to your family doctor or another specialist about your treatment. Sometimes calls to other doctors cause delays, especially if they are unable to answer our calls immediately.
If you are discharged home, the nurse will provide you with a copy of your discharge instructions and any prescriptions the ED doctor has written. The nurse will explain your instructions and prescriptions and answer any questions about your care or treatment. Then the unit secretary will escort you out via the business office. You are responsible for your own care after you leave the ED. If you are admitted to the hospital and it is full, you may have to wait in the ED for another patient to be discharged. As soon as a room is prepared, we will take you to your room.
Finally, if you have any questions, please ask. As your Emergency Department Team, we are here to provide quality care. Thank you for using our facility for your emergency care.

Regional Poison Control hotline
1-800-848-6946

Sandhills Center psychiatric help
910-295-6853

Battered Women’s Assistance
("Friend to Friend" 910-947-3333)

The ED Team is made up of doctors, nurses, patient care assistants, registration/admitting clerks and unit secretaries. We are here to help in the event of your emergency 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.