Emergency Department

We understand that being in an Emergency Department can be stressful. Be assured that we take the best possible care of all our patients.

Triage

Your treatment starts as soon as you step into the Emergency Department. On arrival, you will see a specialist emergency nurse called the ‘triage nurse’. The triage nurse will assess how severe your condition is. In Australia, the triage system is used to guide hospital staff towards seeing patients according to how sick they are. This system allows patients with life-threatening problems to be seen first.

In general, the triage system has five levels:

1. Immediate (life-threatening)

2. Emergency (could become life-threatening)

3. Urgent (not life-threatening)

4. Semi-urgent

5. Non-urgent (needs treatment when time permits).

You will be treated as soon as possible, but someone who arrives in the Emergency Department after you may be seen before you if they need treatment more urgently.

Waiting

After seeing the triage nurse, you may be asked to wait in the waiting room. How long you wait depends on the number of patients whose condition is more serious than yours and also how busy the department is. Just because the waiting area appears quiet, this does not mean the Emergency Department is quiet.

We know that waiting can be frustrating. We will do our best to keep your wait to a minimum and make you comfortable, and keep you informed of how long you are likely to wait.

While you wait, if you feel your condition changes, please let the triage nurse know.

Food and drink

We ask that you do not eat or drink before being seen. You may need tests or procedures that require you not to eat or drink beforehand. Speak to the triage nurse if you have any questions about this.

Further assessment and treatment

A staff member will call you into the department where they will re-assess your condition, ask some questions, examine you and discuss your problem and any tests or treatments that might be required. Please feel free to ask questions about your illness and your treatment at the time.

You may be treated in the department, or we may suggest treatment at home or by your local doctor. If your problem is more serious or requires special care, then we may advise that you be admitted to the hospital.

Things to tell the emergency department staff

As we may not be aware of your medical background, you will be asked many questions. Sometimes this needs to be done by more than one health care worker.

To help us assess and treat you, please tell us about:

· Any health problems you have had.

· All drugs and treatments that you are having.

· Allergies that you may have.

· If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

· Any recent visits overseas.

· Any other facts we should know about.

Admission

If we believe that admission to Hospital is the best way to help, you will be advised of this. As your admission is unplanned, it may take some time for a hospital bed to be ready. Sometimes we may need to transfer you to another hospital for your treatment. Until then, you will be cared for in the Emergency Department.

Can my family be with me?

Having family or friends with you can ease the stress so family and friends are welcome. They should feel free to help with your care, however, for safety reasons, only one or two visitors are allowed in the department at one time. We may ask them to leave during some procedures. We also ask that you and your family and friends respect the privacy of others.

Valuables

We advise you to ask a friend or relative to look after your valuables while you are being treated in the Emergency Department. The hospital will take responsibility only for items that have been formally receipted for safekeeping in the safe.

Telephone enquiries

Enquiries about patients are welcome and can be made by phoning the hospital on 02 4861 0200. Please limit the calls as the department is busy, and enquiries will take staff away from caring for patients. One person should make the call and then inform other family members and friends.

Mobile phones

Analogue phones must be turned off as they interfere with our electronic equipment. Digital phones may be used – please check with nursing staff before using.

Code of behaviour

A code of behaviour exists to ensure a safe and friendly environment for patients, visitors and staff. No acts of violence, swearing, threats or verbal abuse towards another patient, relative or staff member will be tolerated. An initial warning will be given, however persistant inappropriate behaviour will result in the person being asked to leave by the staff, security or the police.

Going home

When you are discharged from the hospital, you will be given advice about follow-up care. This may include:

· Instruction sheets.

· Drugs or scripts.

· Appointments for further tests.

· Outpatient appointments.

· A letter for your local doctor.

Please make sure that you have any medical certificates, Work Cover or Transport Accident Certificates, and any other information that you need before leaving the hospital.

Your comments

If you or your relatives have any issues regarding you treatment, please ask the nurse or doctor looking after you.

Balancing the needs of everyone in an Emergency Department is a complex task. We aim to achieve the best care for patients. However, sometimes patients feel their needs may not have been met fully. If you have had an experience that we can learn from, and improve on, we are keen to hear about it and take the chance to move forward.

if this is the case, please write a letter to the Nurse Unit Manager or ring to make an appointment to discuss your concerns. We fully consider all letters or comments.