Heritage Medical Center's Emergency Services
Our goal is to meet the needs of our community while exceeding your expectations during your visit. The emergency department team consists of physicians, nurses, paramedics, clinical quality and case management. All have undergone specialized training specific to the needs of our patients. We will provide you the same evidence-based medical care in our own community that you might receive in a larger hospital. We are a committed group of providers dedicated to making you very satisfied on your visit to the Emergency Department.
Triage
Upon arrival at our ED, you will be assessed by a triage nurse. Triage, a French word that means “to sort,” helps ensure patients with the most serious needs are treated first. You will be asked questions about why you came to the ED, your current medications, allergies and past medical problems or surgeries you may have had. Your vital signs (temperature, blood pressure and pulse) will be taken. From the information obtained during this process, the triage nurse will determine your “priority of care.” This means that some patients will be transported immediately to the treatment area, while others will be asked to wait in the lobby. It is important to note that the severity of other patients’ conditions may not always be obvious. If you feel your condition has changed while in the lobby, please let the triage nurse or registration clerk know.
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Understanding Your Treatment
All patients who come to our Emergency Department will receive a medical screening exam performed by a qualified medical professional prior to any further treatment. Sometimes unavoidable delays occur in the Emergency Department.
Occasionally, you may observe patients who are called back to the treatment area ahead of you, even though they arrived in the ED after you. Here are some of the reasons why this might happen:
- Critical patients, whether arriving by ambulance or private car, will always be seen first.
- The number of ambulances arriving directly into the treatment area and the condition of these patients can affect the number of beds available in the treatment area and the time taken by the physicians and nurses to care for these patients.
How long will the tests take?
Often you will need tests to determine how to best care for you. Here is a general idea of how long the test results will take. These times are not exact.
- Blood tests: 1 hour
- Urine tests: 1 hour
- X-rays: 1 hour
- Ultrasound: 45-90 minutes
- CT scans: 30-120 minutes
Visitor Information
It is very difficult to be separated from your family members or loved ones in the Emergency Department. We recognize the importance of family support in the care of our patients. So we can provide the best care possible, we ask that only one or two persons stay with the patient. By limiting visitors, the staff can get the necessary
tests performed as quickly as possible and patients will have an opportunity to rest. During the physical exam or in the event of a critical situation within the department, visitors may be asked to step out for a time. We appreciate your cooperation so that each individual’s confidentiality and privacy can be maintained
Patient Information Regarding Food & Drink
You should not eat or drink anything until after you are seen by the physician, especially if experiencing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain.
Food and Drink for Visitors
Visitors are welcome to eat in the dining room at Heritage Medical Center during these hours:
- Breakfast: 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., Monday – Friday
- Lunch: 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday – Friday
There are also food and beverage vending machines located in the waiting rooms available 24 hours a day
When You Are Discharged
When you leave, you will receive instructions to continue your care. It is very important that you understand and follow these instructions. If you do not understand, please ask. If you have a family member or a friend with you, it is a good idea to have them listen to the instructions as well. If medication has been prescribed, a nurse or physician will explain what it is, what it will do and when and how much of it to take. Also, possible side effects, such as nausea, will be explained and you’ll be told what to do if you experience them. You will also receive instructions regarding follow-up care with your regular physician or if you should visit a specialist. If you do not have a physician, you will be given a list of local physicians for follow-up.
You are Important
We encourage you to share your experience with any member of the staff. Our goal is to make sure you are very satisfied with the care you receive and to have you definitely recommend us to your friends and family for Emergency Care. If, for some reason, we did not meet your expectations, please let us know before you leave.
Also, you may receive a patient satisfaction survey call after you leave the hospital. Your responses help the ED to better meet patient needs, resolve issues and recognize exceptional care provided by the staff.
Heritage Medical Center is a 60-bed facility with more than 32 active medical staff members. Specialties represented by physicians at the facility include: Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Endocrinology, Family Practice, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Gynecology, Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedic Surgery, Otolaryngology, Pathology, Pediatrics, Podiatry, Pulmonology, Urodynamics, Urology and Vascular Surgery.
HMC offers a full range of services including 24-hour emergency care, bariatrics, cardiopulmonary/respiratory services (EKG, pulmonary function, stress testing), critical care, diabetic classes, dietary services and nutritional counseling, home health services, laboratory services, medical imaging (bone densitometry, 64-slice CT scanner, mammography, MRI, nuclear medicine, ultrasound), physical therapy, surgery (inpatient/outpatient), sleep disorder center, wound care and more. HMC’s commitment to excellence is demonstrated by its accreditation from The Joint Commission and by its "Get With The Guidelines" certification from the American Heart Association.