A trip to the emergency room (ER) can be overwhelming in so many ways. When dealing with a medical emergency, stress levels are high, which is why it’s important that the experience be as easy as possible. While we understand that it is impossible to remove all of the worry that comes with an ER visit, Baptist Memorial Health Care works hard to ensure that the process is as smooth and simple as it can be.
As the father of three children, I am no stranger to hospital ERs. Fortunately, my children were treated for minor ailments (forehead lacerations suffered during Vacation Bible School, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle-related hand injury) and my niece needed treatment after swallowing a Hungry Hungry Hippo marble. Nevertheless, we were concerned and an expert team of ER professionals provided reassurance while taking great care of the children.
High-Quality Emergency Care
Our emergency medicine physicians are trained to think quickly and determine the right type of treatment for your situation. Because they’ve received special training, they are able to react appropriately in high-stress environments and handle dangerous, traumatic situations with care. Whether you’ve broken a bone, are experiencing a sudden illness, or are suffering from another type of condition, our doctors have the experience and skills necessary to provide you with peace of mind.
We also focus on providing our hospitals and doctors with the best possible tools to deliver high-quality emergency care. We’re expanding several of our emergency departments to allow for the space necessary for treating even more patients in a timely manner. We also offer specialized emergency care, including pediatric emergency services with specialized equipment, and helicopter service.
How to Prepare for a Trip to the ER
When you are experiencing an emergency, being prepared upon arrival can help expedite your time in the waiting room. Whether you’re experiencing the medical issue yourself or are bringing a loved one to the ER, make sure you have the correct insurance documentation and a photo ID. Additionally, a current list of medications and allergies you may have can be very helpful for the doctors and nurses who will interact with you during your visit. Signing up for Baptist OneCare® MyChart can help expedite your care because you can download the MyChart app and take your health record with you.
PLEASE NOTE: Everyone is entitled to emergency care whether or not you have insurance. Our ERs will treat and stabilize you before discussing payment options.
Once you step into the emergency department, a staff member will evaluate your condition and ask questions about the situation. It is normal to feel stressed, but try to remain calm and cooperate with the triage nurse. After the necessary information has been provided, one of our medical professionals will begin working with you to treat the issue. You may come into contact with an attending physician, physician assistant, primary nurse, emergency room technician, X-ray technician, or respiratory therapist during your stay – all of which are trained to provide first-class emergency care.
Staff members will stand by to ensure that your treatment is successful, so you can feel confident knowing that a medical professional will be there through every step of your ER visit. Before you head home, you’ll be provided with care instructions that a staff member will thoroughly review with you. We encourage you to ask any questions you might have at this point so your aftercare recommendations are completely clear. If follow-up care is necessary, we will refer you to a specific physician or health care facility.
If you’re feeling sick and need prompt treatment without an emergency room, we also offer a variety of urgent care centers. No matter what choice you make, Baptist has the experienced, compassionate health care staff you need to get better, quickly. If you have any questions about our emergency services, please feel free to leave a comment below or tweet me directly at @Jason_M_Little.