Emergency Department Expectations ... Ours and Yours
Welcome!
Welcome to Peach Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Department. Our five bed Emergency Department treats patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. A team of board certified physicians, experienced Emergency/Critical Care nurses, and other specially trained ancillary staff is available at all times. We value you as a patient and appreciate you putting your trust in us to provide service to you. We will offer the best carewe can for ALL patients. We will do our best for you.
The sickest patients will be seen first
Upon arrival at the Emergency Department, you will be seen by a triage nurse or technician who will perform a preliminary evaluation of your condition. If your condition is determined to be critical or life threatening you will be taken into the Emergency Department treatment area immediately. If your condition is non-critical, you will be referred to the registration desk for paperwork and then to the waiting room. Please reserve wheelchairs for patients unable to walk.
Critically ill patients always the priority, regardless of who has been waiting longer
Ambulances arriving with sicker patients will affect the waiting period. Our average wait times are 2-4 hours to actually see the physician and this can be much longer according to available space and patient acuity at the time of your visit. We will attempt to do necessary tests such as certain X-rays or lab work that can be done while you are waiting to help save time.
If you decide to leave before seeing the physician, you will be billed for the services performed.
After you have been seen by the Emergency Department physician, your wait can be affected by:
- completion and interpretation of laboratory and/or x-ray results
- consultation with other physicians or specialists
- preparation of special equipment
- preparation of a room, if you are to be admitted to the hospital
- Preparation for transfer to another facility
We will make every effort to treat you quickly and safely regardless of your condition.
If your condition worsens or you have a new complaint while waiting, please notify the triage nurse immediately.
Family and Friends of Emergency PatientsWe understand the normal desire to have family and friends with you in a time of emergency and we try to be flexible about our visiting policy. We will accommodate you whenever we can and to the extent that it does not interfere with our ability to treat patients. We must also protect your confidentiality and dignity as well as that of others.
If you are a visitor:
- Please ask the registrar to call the nurse, if you wish to check on the condition of your relative or friend.
- Do not walk into the treatment area unless called by a nurse.
- Both parents may stay with young children who are being treated in the Emergency Department.
- You will be asked to leave due to space availability, if a critically ill patient arrives.
Respect for patients
We expect our employees to provide good care to every patient. We expect them to be respectful to you. We expect them to keep you informed about your treatment. We expect them to keep your medical information confidential as required by law. We also encourage you to ask questions about your care. In this regard, please let us know if an ER employee has been disrespectful or rude to you.
Respect for our employees While we offer respect to you and your family, we expect you to give our employees the same respect. Please remember the ER is a highly-charged, emotional area of the hospital most of the time. With the intensity with which we approach our mission, we therefore must advise you that loud or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated here. Offending persons will be removed from the premises and charges will be filed.
PrivacyThe Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires that patient information remain private and secure. Please be considerate of others and remain in the waiting area or in your room while in the treatment area; not in the hallway.
Narcotics and pain The ER physician will NOT prescribe or re-fill narcotic pain medications such as Lortab, Vicodin, Hydrocodone, Oxycontin, Dilaudid, etc. for patients with chronic (old) injuries or pain conditions. All physicians are under scrutiny by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and other governmental agencies, which forbid this practice.
It will be necessary for your physician to call the ER physician and outline a plan of care if you expect to get narcotic medicines by injection or prescriptions on a regular basis from this Emergency Department.
Things you can do to help us
- State your main problem first.
- Remain calm. If bringing a child, talk to the child about what is happening and what they can expect.
- Bring a list of any medications you or the patient is taking, including over the counter medications, or herbals.
- Describe all your symptoms, how long they've been happening, and any and all events, which led up to the visit.
- Have ready any information about allergies or past medical conditions.
- Be honest and straightforward; don't hold information back. We must know certain things to treat you safely. Holding back information can cause life-threatening problems sometimes.
- Be sure to let your primary care physician know about your visit to the ER.
- Ask questions until you fully understand what is being said to you. Don't let the atmosphere intimidate you; emergency staff members are here to help you. Please speak up!
Family doctors Many patients use the Emergency Department for their primary care. Sometimes they do not have a personal physician. This is the main cause of ALL delays in the ER.
It is VERY important that you start and maintain a relationship with a physician who knows you and your medical history. No Emergency Department in any hospital, anywhere, can substitute for having a family physician that knows you and your condition. We will be glad to refer you to any private physician on our Medical Staff.
Quincy Jordan, MD ER Medical Director
Peach Regional Medical Center
Chris Hobbs
ED Nurse Manager
Peach Regional Medical Center
Contact: 478/825-8691, Ext. 170
Email:
chobbs@peachregional.com
