Around the clock and around the corner, Women & Children's Emergency Room is here for you in case of accident or illness.
We are prepared to help you through any medical emergency with the caring attention of a good neighbor. We offer you a shorter wait, responsive communication, qualified emergency staff and help 24 hours every day.
When you or a family member faces an emergency, rest assured that the staff at Women & Children’s Hospital (WCH) stand ready to provide quality medical care as quickly as possible. Our Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is prepared to provide immediate evaluation of acute illnesses or injuries for both adult and pediatric patients.
Our ED is staffed with experienced, board-certified physicians and registered nurses who are specially trained in emergency medicine, critical care and advanced life support.
Each of our treatment rooms is equipped with the latest emergency care technology in order to handle most life-threatening situations.
Triage
Our ED staff utilizes a triage process for providing emergency medical care. Upon arrival to the ED, you will be assessed by a triage nurse. Triage is a French word that means “to sort.”While our ER staff understands that every emergency is important, the triage system ensures that the more critical, lifethreatening patients are treated first. You will be asked questions about why you came to the ED, current medications, allergies and past medical history. Your vital signs (temperature, blood pressure and pulse) will also be taken.
From the information obtained during this process, the triage nurse will determine your “priority of care.” This means that some patients may be seen immediately based on the level of illness or injury, while others may be asked to wait in the lobby. It is important to note that the severity of another patient’s conditionmay not be obvious. If you feel your condition has changed while in the lobby, please notify the triage nurse or the patient access representative at the ED desk.
Every Second Counts
When you have an emergency, don’t delay seeking treatment at the nearest hospital or calling 9-1-1. If you sense something is wrong, take action. It’s better to be assessed by a licensed healthcare provider than to risk your health by being unsure.
Some of themost common conditions treated in our Emergency Department include:
- Broken bones and sprains
- Chest pain or pressure
- Diabetes-related illnesses
- Ear, nose and throat problems
- Extreme headache
- Falls
- Gastrointestinal (stomach) pain
- Lacerations
- Nausea, vomiting or fatigue
- Obstetrical (pregnancy) and gynecological complications
Plan of Care
Once you have been seen by the ED physician, you may require diagnostic tests, such as lab work or an x-ray. After the results are processed, the ED physician will review them and make a decision regarding the appropriate treatment. You may be admitted for further testing and treatment or discharged with follow-up instructions.
- Level III Emergency Department
- Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Local EMS support
- Full diagnostic services: X-Ray, Ultrasound and CT Scan
- Helipad available for emergency transfers
Intensive Care Services
Women & Children’s Hospital is proud to offer six intensive care unit suites adjacent to the Emergency Department to care for the critically ill. A special environment has been created for patients, complete with visual observation and sophisticated electronic monitoring systems.