When you first come to the Emergency Department, you will receive a triage assessment. A nurse will ask you the reason for your visit and will collect important information about your medical history, including any over-the-counter and prescription medications you currently take as well as any allergies you have. The nurse will also measure your vital signs, such as your blood pressure and your temperature.
The triage assessment enables the Emergency Department staff to make an initial determination about the nature and severity of your illness or injury. The triage assessment determines the order in which you will receive a medical screening examination; the triage assessment is not the actual examination. If, after you undergo the triage assessment, your condition worsens, please notify the registrar or the triage nurse right away. You may be given the triage assessment again based on your symptoms.
Medical Screening Examination
As part of your care, a physician, nurse, or other qualified health care professional will perform an appropriate medical screening examination. This examination helps the Emergency Department staff treat your condition appropriately.
- First Nurse Protocol
- As part of the medical screening examination, a nurse will conduct a series of standardized diagnostic tests specific to your complaint. This protocol helps expedite your care in the Emergency Department by providing physicians with the information they need to help you.
After Triage Assessment
After the triage assessment, the nurse will decide if you require Fast Track or Acute Care. Fast Track provides non-critical, non-acute care for conditions such as a sore throat, an ankle injury, or a minor laceration. The Acute Area provides care for more serious conditions such as chest pain, abdominal pain, and respiratory distress.