What to Expect in the ER

August 30, 2016
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Osceolawoman2017
Posted in Family Health and Medical
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Whether your child requires a few stitches or has a serious health condition, Osceola Regional Medical Center’s Pediatric Emergency Department and new Pediatric and Pediatric Intensive Care Units provide highly skilled care by experts in pediatric care for younger patients. With Pediatric Emergency Physicians, compassionate Pediatric Nurses, Pediatric Intensivist Specialists from Nemours Children’s Health System and tenured local pediatricians, there’s no reason to drive outside the community to receive prompt, high quality care you can trust.

The ER can be confusing, especially when you’re sick or injured. Why is there a long wait? What if you start to feel worse? To help put you more at ease, here’s a glimpse into the inner workings of the ER.

I was here before that other patient. Why are they being seen before me? Emergency rooms operate on a triage basis, which classifies patients by how quickly they need to be seen. Someone having a heart attack needs immediate attention, while a patient with a sore throat need is less urgent. Osceola Regional Medical Center has a separate Pediatric Emergency Department with a separate triage meaning children don’t have to wait alongside adults and are seen quicker.

What if I could be getting worse while I’m waiting and no one is paying attention? Hospitals all have protocols for how often a patient is re-evaluated (even in the waiting room). Emergency rooms will draw labs and order x-rays for patients as they wait and monitor the results along the way. If you think you’re getting worse just let the ER staff know, because you may need to move up the triage ladder.

How long will my tests take? Every day in the ER is different, so processes that take 30 minutes one day may take hours the next.

How long will it take for the doctor to share the results with me? The doctor needs to receive and review the results and sometimes the doctor will want to consult with another physician, either in person or by phone. Afterwards they can discuss their findings and a treatment plan with you. Because of these variables, there’s not a set average wait time.

Can I eat while I’m waiting? No! Many procedures require giving patients sedating medications which can increase the risk of vomiting and choking, so a patient who has had any food or drink in the last few hours may significantly delay getting the care they require.

Who are all these people? Emergency rooms are staffed with many employees with different roles. It can be confusing to know who’s doing what. Doctors don’t always wear white coats. Other staff members, such as nurses, techs, physician assistants and registration staff, wear various uniforms. How are you to know? The only way is to ask. It’s your health and that’s what being a smart patient all is about.

To learn more about our services and what it means to have a Certified Trauma Center near you, visit OsceolaRegional.com. For Average Pediatric ER and Average ER Wait Times, please text “ER” to 23000. Message and data rates may apply. For more info visit texterhelp.com.

Osceola Regional Medical Center Pediatric and Emergency Services
700 West Oak Street, Kissimmee, FL 34741
OsceolaRegional.com