The Emergency Department is equipped specially to handle nearly any emergency situation with specially trained doctors, nurses and technicians. It is important for you to know how the Emergency Department works so you can know what to expect with as little anxiety as possible. The Emergency Department helps people with a variety of problems, including injuries due to accidents or wounds. If people who suffer from major trauma do not receive special medical help right away, their lives could be in jeopardy. Triage is the first step when you enter the Emergency Department.
Triage is a process that makes sure that patients with the most serious needs are treated first.
The Emergency Department cannot treat patients on a first-come, first served basis. You will be examined by an Emergency Medicine doctor unless your doctor has made specific arrangements to see you in the Emergency Department. The hospital's Emergency Department bill is separate from the doctor's bill. If you have an x-ray, the bill from the radiologist is separate from any other bills. It is possible that you will receive several bills over time, depending upon your insurance coverage.