Health Central's Emergency Department
What Can I Expect When I Arrive?
Time matters. As soon as possible after you arrive in the Emergency Department, you will be seen and assessed by a Triage Nurse - a nurse specially trained in Emergency Care. Following a nationally recognized Triage Standard, this nurse determines the order in which patients are seen, based on your condition.
How Long is the Wait?
It is very difficult for the Triage Nurse to accurately predict how long you will have to wait. It depends on the number of patients already in the department and the level of care they require. Therefore, the Triage Nurse cannot give out an accurate waiting time.
If while waiting, you feel your condition has changed since being triaged, please inform the Triage Nurse immediately.
We appreciate your patience.
A Matter of Priorities
People who require the most urgent care will be treated first. However, everyone will be treated as soon as possible.
Emergency Department Care and Procedures
After seeing the Triage Nurse, you will receive ongoing care by a nurse assigned to your care area and assigned to care for you. This nurse can explain what you may expect during your stay.
You may have blood drawn for laboratory tests. These tests may take as long as one hour or more to be completed.
You may have x-rays or other diagnostic scans. These scans take only a short time to be taken, but the Emergency Department physician, as well as the Radiology physician, must examine the results and make a determination before you will know the results.
You may have an EKG (heart tracing) or other test designed to identify heart-related problems.
Depending on test results, you may need:
- Medications
- IV fluids
- A visit from a specialist
- Bandages
- Stitches
- Splints or casts
- Surgery
- Admission to the hospital
All of these things take different amounts of time. The nurse who is caring for you can keep you informed about the progress of your evaluation and treatment. We encourage you to ask your nurse about medications, procedures and times.
Emergency Fast Track
Often, a visit to Emergency Fast Track is less complicated and may take less time than a visit to the acute care section of the Emergency Department.
In this part of the Emergency Department, you might have blood drawn for laboratory studies, x-rays ordered, stitches placed and/or bandages and splints applied.
How to Know When to Go
The Emergency Team is there for you when you are very sick and need emergency treatment. Sometimes, it is difficult to know if your problem is serious or not. Here are some examples of when you or your child should come to the Emergency Department.
- Severe pain, chest pain, or chest tightness
- Difficulty breathing or choking
- A possible broken bone or cut that may need stitches
- Sudden or severe headache, vision problems or dizziness
- Sudden weakness, numbness and/or tingling in the face/arms/legs or trouble speaking
- Showing signs of dehydration (no tears, a dry mouth, or is not urinating) in a child with diarrhea and vomiting
- A child with fever who is very sleepy or hard to wake up
If you are not sure if your condition warrants a visit to the Emergency Department, don't hesitate to call 911. Ambulance staff (Paramedics) will bring you to the hospital, where you will be assessed and treated.
How Can I Help?
Bring an up-to-date list of your medications and your health/insurance card.
Relax, and please be patient. How soon you are seen depends on how sick or badly injured you are. Our staff is here to help you.
Emergency Care Alternatives
Health Central ExpressCare, located at the corner of Maguire Road and Old Winter Garden Road, is a quick and easy walk-in medical treatment center. Providing extended and weekend hours, ExpressCare was designed with convenience in mind. For more information, call 407-656-2055.
