Emergency Department

In the event of an emergency, dial 911.

Our Emergency Department (ED) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, caring for approximately 35 patients a day, an average 1,000 patients a month or nearly 11,800 patients each year. We have 10 treatment rooms equipped to accommodate all levels of care, from minor complaints to more serious injury and illness. We are a level 4 trauma center with a nationally recognized emergency physicians group contracted to provide high-quality care to you and your loved ones.

What to Expect During Your Visit to the ED

It is impossible to predict how many people will need care at any given time or moment; however, we are ready when you need us most. Our team of board certified emergency physicians, and advanced certified nurse’s share a passion for delivering state-of-the art, patient-centered medical care in our ED. Other specialties you may see assisting in your care are lab technicians, respiratory therapists, radiology technicians, and other health care professionals during the course of your visit.

As you wait to be treated, you may notice people that arrive after you are actually seen before you. This is standard emergency “triage.”

Triage

Please note: Please do not eat or drink while waiting until you are seen by a medical provider, since this may interfere with your treatment or worsen your condition.

When you first arrive at the ED, you will be registered at the ED registration desk where you will note your medical concern and confirm your name (we recommend bringing positive ID and insurance information with you). You will then be taken to one of our private rooms in the ED right away, unless there are no rooms available. A registered nurse will complete a brief history and physical assessment, including taking your vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, temperature) and assessing your pain. Don’t minimize your symptoms. Be sure to tell the nurse about any chronic health problems, medications, allergies, or other key facts that relate to your health, since this information will help us prioritize, or triage, which patients require attention first.

You may also have an electrocardiogram or x-rays taken, have an IV inserted to start fluids or medications you need. You may also have blood or urine samples collected at this time or other testing. Blood tests can take up to 2 hours but the results are vital for the proper diagnosis and treatment of your condition.

Evaluation and Treatment

While patients waiting for treatment are routinely checked by the triage staff, please let us know if your condition worsens at any time while you are waiting. We will make every effort to keep you comfortable and informed of any results or further delays. All of our rooms are private and we will close the curtains or doors to provide you with the privacy you need while you wait.

Our entire team is committed to keeping you informed and comfortable. If you are experiencing pain, we will make every effort to control it and reassess your comfort frequently. Once your evaluation is complete, the ED provider will coordinate your care with your physician or other specialists.

Discharge / Admission

If you are being discharged, our staff will review written instructions with you before you leave, since understanding and following them is important to your recovery.

If you need to stay in the hospital, a room will be requested for you based on your diagnosis and care needs. If no room is available at the time, we will continue to care for you in the ED and make you as comfortable as possible until your room is ready.

Visitor Policy

At Medina Healthcare System, we consider patients and their family as partners in care. We encourage you to bring a family member or friend with you. However, while there are no formal restrictions on ED visiting, there may be times that staff may need to limit the number of people in the treatment or waiting areas in the interests of patient privacy, safety, and comfort.

We Welcome Your Feedback

We care about you and your experience with us. When discharged from the ED you may receive a brief survey asking you about the quality of your care provided to you during your visit. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey. Your feedback is very important and helps us continually improve our patient care at the hospital.