Fractures and sprains are common throughout the year. Generally there are about 100 patients admitted to the hospital through the Emergency Department and 15 patients are transferred each month. Express Care delivered by Nurse Practitioner or PA, with ED physician in house. Complete vital signs are taken. Standard protocol is used in treating specific situations.
Triage is a nursing function.
Many skills are utilized such as splint applications, venipunctures, arterial punctures, catheterizations, and sterile technique for particular procedures. Drug therapy is diverse, from starting doses of antibiotics, to tetanus prophylaxis, to urgent thrombolytic therapy and antiarrhythmic drugs. We frequently consult with Social Services for assistance with patients. Law enforcement becomes involved with certain involuntary commitments and in domestic and sexual abuse cases. We frequently need to arrange for medical follow-up for patients discharged who have no primary medical care.