Emergency Room FAQs

Emergency Conditions

When should I bring a loved one or myself to the ER?

Call 911 or immediately go to an emergency room when someone is experiencing the following:

Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing
Chest pain
Fainting or dizziness
Sudden numbness or weakness
Sudden inability to see, speak, walk or move
Confusion or changes in mental state
Fever with convulsions, or fever in a child 3 months old or younger
Bleeding that cannot be stopped
Coughing or vomiting blood
Blood in the urine or bloody diarrhea
Severe headache or head injury
Intense abdominal pain

If you or a loved one are not certain if a visit to the emergency room is necessary, please go to your nearest ER for an evaluation.

What should I do if a loved one or I am having chest pain?

Chest pain can be a sign of a heart attack. Call 911 or have someone take you to the closest emergency room if your chest pain lasts longer than 5 minutes or does not go away when you rest or take medication.

Other symptoms of a heart attack to look for are:

Sweating
Shortness of breath
Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Nausea or vomiting
Pain in back, upper abdomen, arm or shoulder
Lightheadedness

What should I do if I think someone is having a stroke?

When it comes to stroke, think F.A.S.T!

F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A – Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S – Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?

T – Time: If you see any of these sings, call 911 immediately.

Note the time that the symptoms first appear. Do not drive yourself to the hospital; call an ambulance so medical personnel can begin life-saving treatment on the way to the emergency room.

Minutes matter. Stroke treatments work best only if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within the first 3 hours of the first symptoms.

ER Experience

Will I be tested for COVID-19 if I go to the emergency room?

Your care team will evaluate your symptoms to determine whether you need a COVID test. Please let your care team know if you are experiencing COVID symptoms such as fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, diarrhea, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, headache, and/or nausea or vomiting.

If you are admitted to the hospital, we may test you for COVID so we can safely care for you. You may be tested even if you are not experiencing symptoms.

Is it safe to go to the emergency room?

The emergency room is the best place to be when timely medical care is required. It is important to treat serious medical conditions promptly before they worsen and become life-threatening. For many medical emergencies like heart attack and stroke, quick treatment can be the difference between life and death.

The risk of contracting COVID-19 in the ER is extremely low. Our team is taking precautions to keep the ER as safe as possible including limiting visitors, mask wearing, increased cleaning and disinfecting and the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE).

How long will I have to wait?

Our care teams do everything they can to see patients as soon as possible. Wait times depend on many factors including number of patients currently being seen and severity of patient ailments.

Sometimes patients need more time in the ER than predicted. We want to give our patients all the help and information they came for. While you are waiting, please let a staff member know if there is anything they can help you with.

Why are some patients seen before me even though I arrived before they did?

We understand seeing others get examined before you can be difficult. Emergency rooms use a system called triage to recognize which patients need urgent medical attention and treat them accordingly.

If, while waiting, you begin to feel so unwell that you start getting chills or become nauseated, please let a staff member know.

What should I bring with me to the ER?

The following items and information will be extremely helpful to your ER care team:

List of current medications
List of allergies
Insurance cards and co-pay
Photo ID
Emergency contact information

If you ingested a poison or toxin, try to bring it with you, a photo of the entire label, or be able to tell your care team what toxin you ingested. If you are going to the ER for an animal bite, be able to give as much information about where the animal that bit you came from.

Please leave valuables at home.

What can I do to be more comfortable while I’m waiting?

We understand it can be hard to wait when you aren’t feeling well. If possible, bring a family member or friend with so they can keep you company. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a blanket if you think you may get cold. Take this time to write out questions about your condition or goals for your visit. Make sure to share them with your care team.

If you are in the ER with your child, feel free to bring their favorite small toy, stuffed animal or a handheld electronic game to help keep them occupied.

Not feeling well, being in a strange place with different flooring, medications and bedside medical equipment can increase your risk of falling. Some medication can make you unsteady, dizzy or sleepy. We encourage all patients to ask for help before getting up.

Can I eat or drink while I wait in the ER?

Please talk with a staff member if you would like to eat or drink something. We may need to perform tests or procedures that require patients to have an empty stomach.

Please do not give your child anything to eat or drink if there is a chance they may need sedation or anesthesia for surgery.

What happens if I need to be admitted to the hospital?

You may be admitted if it is determined that you need further evaluation or treatment. Your care team will communicate with you and explain why you may need to stay at the hospital.

Once the decision has been made to admit you to the hospital, you will be taken to a patient room. If a room is not yet available, your care team will work to keep you as comfortable as possible until one is ready.

Your care team may run more tests, if needed. They will also assist you in contacting any loved ones, if needed. Please let your care team know if you have any questions about your care.

What should I expect when leaving the hospital?

If you are not being admitted to the hospital, you will be discharged, or released, once you are feeling better. You will be given written instructions on how to care for your illness or injury, along with prescriptions for any medicines you will need. Review these instructions with your care provider to make sure you understand them.

It is important to follow your discharge orders and arrange an appointment with your primary care doctor or specialist, if needed. Please ask a member of your care team if you need a primary care doctor or specialist. If you do not improve as expected or your symptoms return, return to the hospital.

How can I share my feedback?

In the days or weeks following your visit, you may receive a satisfaction survey from PRC Health. PRC is a company that specializes in conducting patient satisfaction surveys. We ask that you complete and return it to help us improve our care. If you do not receive a survey, as they are randomly sent, please feel free to contact our Public Relations department at 239-368-4479 to share your feedback.

Visitors

Billing

Can I still be seen if I don’t have health insurance?

Yes. Emergency care is not based on your ability to pay.

How can I learn more about my eligibility for financial assistance?

We understand that paying for emergency or other medically necessary care can be challenging, particularly for patients without health insurance. We have financial counselors available to help you find financial solutions to help cover your cost of care.

If you do not see your question answered here, please call us at 239-369-2101.