A Patient’s Guide to ER Care

A Patient's Guide to ER CARE ER VISITS by the Numbers 129.8 MILLION ANNUAL VISITS 397 annual visits per 1,000 residents in FL 37.9% 13.3% 2.1% of visits are for of visits end in of visits end in INJURIES HOSPITAL TRANSFER TO ADMISSION ANOTHER HOSPITAL What's Your Complaint? TOP REASONS FOR ER VISITS HEADACHE……... SHORTNESS OF BREATH CHEST PAIN FRACTURE OR SPRAIN ABDOMINAL PAIN What Happens When YOU VISIT THE ER? TRIAGE Patient complaints are evaluated Patients with urgent issues are seen first EVALUATION/DIAGNOSIS Vitals are taken Exam is performed Lab or imaging tests may be ordered TREATMENT PLAN Patient may be admitted to hospital Patient may be discharged with meds and follow-up info How to Choose an EMERGENCY ROOM ENSURE it offers the care you need Examples: Pediatric care, stroke care CHECK ER wait times Check hospital website Average Northwest Medical Center wait time: 8 minutes CONSIDER the al's reputation Would you want to be admitted to the facility? Consider the specialty services offered PROVIDED BY: NORTHWEST MEDICAL CENTER "More Than Healing™ wwW.NORTHWESTMEDBLOG.COM SOURCES: http://patientsaboutcom/od/atthehospital/aler.tipshtm http/kff.org/other/state-indicator/emergency-room-visits/ http://www.odc.gov/nchs/fastats/emergency-departmenthtm http//www.wakehealthedu/Emergency-Department/Emergency-Room-Visitshtm