Connecticut CT Hospital Emergency Rooms | Offices of Vincent DeAngelo, Attorney, LLC

YOU HAVE CHOICES IN THE ER

Did you know that not all Emergency Rooms ("ERs") are created equal? ER's provide unscheduled care for a wide variety of patients for medical concerns that range from an acute heart attack, major injuries and poisoning to minor problems that happen after business hours or for those who do not have a primary care physician. Some ERs are better suited for one thing, like trauma, while others may be good for a child's emergency.

You have choices when you go to the ER. To help you learn about the differences between hospital ER's in your area, we invite you to read the following information. Our goal is to provide you with information so you can make the choice that is best for you, your family and your loved ones.

Not all ERs are created equal. Hospital ERs offer different levels of service, staff and equipment depending on whether the ER is designated as a "trauma center." A trauma center is a hospital equipped to provide comprehensive emergency medical services to patients suffering traumatic injuries. Trauma centers were established after doctors saw that traumatic injuries often require complex and multi-disciplinary treatment, including surgery in order to give the victim the best possible chance for survival and recovery. Traumatic injuries are life-threatening injuries from car wrecks, gunshot wounds, third degree burns, neck and spinal cord injuries, and the like

In order to qualify as a trauma center in America, a hospital must meet certain criteria as established by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The ACS does not designate trauma centers; instead, it makes sure that each trauma center has the resources it says are available and that the center has successfully completed a verification visit.

Trauma centers vary in their specific capabilities and are identified by "Level" designation: Level I is the highest to Level III which is the lowest. Level I ERs typically will have trauma surgeons available as well as specially trained and skilled medical and nursing staff, highly sophisticated medical diagnostic equipment, and access to operating suits and intensive care units. Lower levels of trauma centers may offer less sophisticated services or only be able to provide initial care and stabilization of a traumatic injury and arrange for transfer of the victim to a higher level of trauma care.

THINGS TO CONSIDER
EMERGENCY ROOMS

You have choices when you got to the ER. Take the time NOW to investigate ERs in your community. The links on this website are a good starting point. Ask your doctor and healthcare professionals you trust about the ERs in your community, and whether one is better than another for treating medical issues as well as traumatic injuries. Only by knowing what your choices are can you make a decision that is best for you and your loved ones.

PREPARE NOW: Know the three ERs closest to your home and work as well as the key services they provide. BE READY BEFORE the emergency happens.

Carry ER contact information in your wallet and post it in a prominent place in your home.

Everyone who comes to an ER will be seen, regardless of ability to pay or insurance status.

ERs are committed to providing high-quality emergency care as quickly as possible to all patients. However, you may have to wait because ERs use a triage process: a triage nurse will assess the severity of a patient's condition upon arrival, based on symptoms; personal and medical history information; and vital signs, such as body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.

In some cases, a practice called 'boarding patients' may increase the delay. Hundreds of ERs have closed in the United States while visits to the ER have increased. Critically ill or injured patients may have extended stays in the emergency department until hospital beds become available.

Depending on the Level of care at the ER, ER physicians are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; but other medical specialists, such as neurosurgeons, cardiologists, and orthopedic surgeons, may provide "on-call" backup services as needed.

Many patients may arrive at once, needing immediate medical care. This can happen when multiple motor vehicle crashes occur and during natural disasters or local epidemics, such as the flu.

If you have a minor illness or injury, and the emergency department isn't crowded, your visit may be one to two hours or more. However, if you require extensive diagnostic tests, your visit may be even longer because it will take time to obtain the test results. Also, if an emergency physician needs to consult with another medical specialist, your wait may be extended. Finally, if you need to be admitted to the hospital, you may have to wait until an inpatient bed is available.

Many ERs are improving customer service by decreasing waiting times using such measures as registering people at bedsides, streamlining systems that speed specimens to the laboratory, computerizing tracking systems, establishing fast-track systems to expedite diagnosis and treatment for patients with less critical conditions. Many hospitals are hiring patient advocates to improve communication, increase the flow of information and better address any concerns of patients.




YOU HAVE CHOICES IN THE ER Did you know that not all Emergency Rooms ("ERs") are created equal? ER's provide unscheduled care for a wide variety of patients for medical concerns that range from an acute heart attack, major injuries and poisoning to minor problems that happen after business hours or for those who do not have a primary care physician. Some ERs are better suited for one thing, like trauma, while others may be good for a child's emergency. You have choices when you go to the ER. To help you learn about the differences between hospital ER's in your area, we invite you to read the following information. Our goal is to provide you with information so you can make the choice that is best for you, your family and your loved ones. Not all ERs are created equal. Hospital ERs offer different levels of service, staff and equipment depending on whether the ER is designated as a "trauma center." A trauma center is a hospital equipped to provide comprehensive emergency medical services to patients suffering traumatic injuries. Trauma centers were established after doctors saw that traumatic injuries often require complex and multi-disciplinary treatment, including surgery in order to give the victim the best possible chance for survival and recovery. Traumatic injuries are life-threatening injuries from car wrecks, gunshot wounds, third degree burns, neck and spinal cord injuries, and the like In order to qualify as a trauma center in America, a hospital must meet certain criteria as established by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The ACS does not designate trauma centers; instead, it makes sure that each trauma center has the resources it says are available and that the center has successfully completed a verification visit. Trauma centers vary in their specific capabilities and are identified by "Level" designation: Level I is the highest to Level III which is the lowest. Level I ERs typically will have trauma surgeons available as well as specially trained and skilled medical and nursing staff, highly sophisticated medical diagnostic equipment, and access to operating suits and intensive care units. Lower levels of trauma centers may offer less sophisticated services or only be able to provide initial care and stabilization of a traumatic injury and arrange for transfer of the victim to a higher level of trauma care. VBAC \| Hospital Infections \| Medication Errors \| Emergency Rooms \| Nursing Homes Home \| About Us \| Contact Us \| Site Map © Copyright 2010. Offices of Vincent DeAngelo, Attorney, LLC. All Rights Reserved.		EMERGENCY ROOMS ⇒ MAIN PAGE ⇒ TRAUMA CENTERS PAGE DOWNLOAD: ⇒ Things To Consider (PDF) THINGS TO CONSIDER EMERGENCY ROOMS You have choices when you got to the ER. Take the time NOW to investigate ERs in your community. The links on this website are a good starting point. Ask your doctor and healthcare professionals you trust about the ERs in your community, and whether one is better than another for treating medical issues as well as traumatic injuries. Only by knowing what your choices are can you make a decision that is best for you and your loved ones. PREPARE NOW: Know the three ERs closest to your home and work as well as the key services they provide. BE READY BEFORE the emergency happens. Carry ER contact information in your wallet and post it in a prominent place in your home. Everyone who comes to an ER will be seen, regardless of ability to pay or insurance status. ERs are committed to providing high-quality emergency care as quickly as possible to all patients. However, you may have to wait because ERs use a triage process: a triage nurse will assess the severity of a patient's condition upon arrival, based on symptoms; personal and medical history information; and vital signs, such as body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. In some cases, a practice called 'boarding patients' may increase the delay. Hundreds of ERs have closed in the United States while visits to the ER have increased. Critically ill or injured patients may have extended stays in the emergency department until hospital beds become available. Depending on the Level of care at the ER, ER physicians are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; but other medical specialists, such as neurosurgeons, cardiologists, and orthopedic surgeons, may provide "on-call" backup services as needed. Many patients may arrive at once, needing immediate medical care. This can happen when multiple motor vehicle crashes occur and during natural disasters or local epidemics, such as the flu. If you have a minor illness or injury, and the emergency department isn't crowded, your visit may be one to two hours or more. However, if you require extensive diagnostic tests, your visit may be even longer because it will take time to obtain the test results. Also, if an emergency physician needs to consult with another medical specialist, your wait may be extended. Finally, if you need to be admitted to the hospital, you may have to wait until an inpatient bed is available. Many ERs are improving customer service by decreasing waiting times using such measures as registering people at bedsides, streamlining systems that speed specimens to the laboratory, computerizing tracking systems, establishing fast-track systems to expedite diagnosis and treatment for patients with less critical conditions. Many hospitals are hiring patient advocates to improve communication, increase the flow of information and better address any concerns of patients.
This information is not intended to replace the medical advice of a doctor or other healthcare provider. You are advised to consult with your doctor after you check our website. VMDLaw disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. Site Map \| Bookmark Us

EMERGENCY ROOMS

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THINGS TO CONSIDER EMERGENCY ROOMS

THINGS TO CONSIDER
EMERGENCY ROOMS