Welcome to the Emergency Department

A 21-bed multidisciplinary department offering comprehensive emergency care with 24-hour staffing of physicians who are board-certified or board-eligible in emergency medicine.

The Emergency Department is staffed by nurses with specialized credentials in Emergency Nursing, and uses a nationally recognized triage system for classifying emergency patients by the severity of their illness, not the time of arrival, ensuring prompt treatment Convenient bedside registration of patients decreases treatment time.

The Emergency Department has the state-of-the-art equipment and specialized rooms to accommodate and treat minor trauma, acute cardiac, pediatric, orthopedic, obstetrics/gynecology, ear, nose & throat emergencies with 24-hour access to laboratory, radiology, CT scanning and magnetic resonance imaging services.

The Emergency Department staff, working collaboratively with our ancillary support services and physicians, are committed to providing the highest quality, most timely and compassionate patient care services in the Valley and want each of our patients to feel not only that their illness was cared for, but that they, as a person, are cared about.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR VISIT:

• Triage
• Medical Screening Exam
• Star Thrower Awards
• Questions For My Caregiver

TRIAGE

This is a preliminary evaluation required for all "walk-in" patients, that is performed by a specially trained Emergency Nurse. You will be asked a brief history of your symptoms (what brought you to the ED), and your temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate will be measured. You may also have a pulse oximetry reading (if needed) which is a non-invasive reading of the percentage of oxygen in your blood. Any open wounds will be inspected and/or a dressing applied. Ice packs will be provided for swelling. You will be taken as quickly as possible to the next available open treatment bed.

It is important to understand that patients that come to the Emergency Department are not necessarily seen on a "first-come-first-served basis." Triage means "to sort." Basically what this means is that each patient that presents themselves to our Emergency Department is assessed and the severity of their illness is evaluated into life-threatening or non-life threatening, threat of loss of limb, and lesser but still emergent illnesses. Since each patient receives individualized care and service based on their symptoms, there may be a waiting period before you can be evaluated by our Board Certified Emergency Physicians. We appreciate your patience and will make every effort to have you seen as timely as possible. If there will be an extended wait, our Nursing Leadership Team will keep you informed. You will also be re-evaluated periodically by the Triage nurse, if needed, until a space becomes available. You will also receive the same individualized care and service.

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MEDICAL SCREENING EXAM

This is an evaluation performed by a physician Board Certified in Emergency Medicine. This is a specialty practice. The physician will decide which type of testing or evaluation is necessary for your particular illness. This evaluation is performed once you are brought back to the ED. We have your best interests in mind and are committed to providing the highest quality care in the Treasure Valley. You will also have a primary nurse assigned to you. This will be your nurse from the time you are brought back into the ED until you are either discharged from the ED or admitted to the hospital, if necessary. Your nurse is highly skilled and specially trained in Emergency Nursing.

When the physician, or physician's assistant is ready for your evaluation, please try to be as thorough and accurate as you can when describing any symptoms, pain or details of your illness, including any current treatments you may be receiving by another physician. It is helpful for your caregivers if you have a list of any and all medications you may be taking, including over-the-counter medications, or herbal supplements. Some examples of the testing that may be ordered for you is blood work, radiology (xrays), or others the physician feels will help them diagnose your specific illness or injury.

Depending on the testing that is being performed, your time in the ED may take longer than you had hoped or expected. We will do our very best to keep you informed on how things are moving along. Your primary nurse will be checking on you frequently to see how we can keep you as comfortable as possible during your stay. Our Patient Care Laisons make frequent rounds in the waiting area and patient care area and are available to assist as needed.

Our staff is committed to delivering the best emergency care in the valley. We are committed to making sure that you are completely satisfied with the service we will provide, and that you would be extremely likely to recommend us to your family and friends, as well as continue to use Mercy Medical Center for all your health care needs.

If for some reason we do not meet your expectations, please ask to speak to the Clinical Supervisor or Charge Nurse. Your feedback and suggestions help us continue to improve our processes and services to our patients.

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STAR THROWER AWARDS

These are special recognition cards that are awarded to staff members. If there is a particular staff member who has exceeded your expectations and you would like to see that staff member recognized for their efforts, please feel free to complete the attached card. There are more cards available in the ED. Your feedback is shared with the staff member.

QUESTIONS FOR MY CAREGIVERS

While you are here you are our primary concern. Please use the spaces below to write down any questions or concerns you may have and want to ask your Primary Nurse or the Emergency Physician and we'll do our best to get them answered for you......we have time.

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