What is Emergency medicine?
Where do I go to get emergency care?
What will happen when I arrive at the Emergency Department?
What tests might I need?
What happens when my treatment is completed?
What kind of support can I get besides medical care?
What if I need prescription drugs?
What if I don't speak English?
What is Emergency medicine?
Emergency Medicine is a specialized field that requires highly trained personnel in the areas of acute resuscitation and medical/surgical care. Baystate Medical Center has Emergency Physicians who are all board certified specialists. Since 1993, we have been home to the only Emergency Medicine resodemcu training program at Tufts University School of Medicine. many of our Registered Nurses have additional specialty training in the areas of emergency medicine, pediatrics, and trauma.
Where do I go to get emergency care?
What will happen when I arrive at the Emergency Department?
When you arrive at the Emergency Department:
- A triage nurse will examine you (or the patient) to determine the seriousness of the injury or illness.
- Later, a brief exam will involve taking blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respirations and other details.
- The patient or representative will go to the registration window to complete necessary paperwork.
- Depending on the seriousness of the illness or injury, the patient may take a seat in the waiting room or will be seen by emergency medical staff immediately. The length of the wait is difficult to predict because it depends on the illness/injury and the number of other patients who need care at the same time.
- Once called into the main department, the patient will receive additional nursing care.
- A doctor will examine the patient as soon as possible and:
– Ask about the illness/injury
– Perform a physical examination
– Order any necessary tests.
NOTE: Emergency Department staff often ask the same questions at each step of the evaluation process. This assures that each caregiver properly understands the patient's medical condition.
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What tests might I need?
Advances in technology have increased our abilities to test and diagnose patients. These tests are important to your health and well-being, and they may take some time.
- X-rays – If you need x-rays, staff will escort you to the x-ray department. Once we take your x-rays, they need to be developed and read by the Emergency Physician. Later, one of our radiologists will also review the x-rays.
- Laboratory – Many patients require blood and/or urine tests. Most tests take approximately one to two hours to complete, but during busy periods, they may take longer. Some tests results take 2-7 days. We will notify you if we discover any abnormal test results after you leave the Emergency Department.
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What happens when my treatment is completed?
- If your evaluation determines that a stay in the hospital is necessary, we will notify your doctor (or his/her practice). If you do not have a personal physician, we will provide you with a hospital-based physician.
- If the Emergency Department decides to discharge you, we may contact your personal physician. You will receive discharge instructions about how to care for your condition. Please ask questions.
Your examination and treatment in the Emergency Department was on an emergency basis only.
- If you do not have a personal physician, we can recommend a doctor who can provide you with the necessary follow-up or surgical care.
- Call this doctor if you have any new or remaining problems.
- For significant changes or worsening of your condition, call your doctor or return immediately to the Emergency Department.
- You are welcome back at the Emergency Department at any time. We may request that you return for certain care, such as the removal of stitches.
What kind of support can I get besides medical care?
Support services are available at Baystate Medical Center for patients and their families:
- Psychiatrists
- Social Workers
- Pastoral Care, as well as an interfaith chapel with scheduled services.
Any member of the Emergency Department staff can help you access these services.
What if I need prescription drugs?
The Emergency Department will provide whatever medications you need as part of your emergency treatment, such as pain killers, but the department is not authorized to dispense medications for you to take after discharge.
- For your convenience, a pharmacy is located on the first floor of the hospital, by the gift shop.
- You may also fill prescriptions at any outside pharmacy you choose. We can refer you to several 24-hour pharmacists in the area who can fill your prescription.
What if I don't speak English?
Baystate Medical Center prides itself in accommodating the language needs of of our patients and their families. This can be very critical in emergency situations. Our in-house Interpreter Services make interpreters in most foreign languages, as well as American Sign Language, 24 hours a day.
When language is a barrier to performing an exam and taking patient medical history, our trained interpreters will assist the medical staff. Any member of Baystate Emergency Department staff can help patients or family members access interpreters.
