When to go to the ER

Sometimes it is difficult to know whether an injury or illness requires a trip to the Emergency Room. According to the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), individuals with the following conditions should seek emergency care:

• • • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
    • Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure
    • Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness
    • Changes in vision
    • Confusion or changes in mental status
    • Any sudden or severe pain
    • Uncontrolled bleeding
    • Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
    • Coughing or vomiting blood
    • Suicidal feelings
    • Difficulty speaking
    • Unusual abdominal pain
    • Major Head Injury
    • Poisoning
    • Severe Allergic Reactions
    • Severe Burns
    • Suspected Heart Attack
    • Suspected Stroke
    • Complicated Fractures
    • Deep Wounds

What to Expect When You Visit the ER

A medical emergency can leave you with a lot of questions. Since understanding your condition and feeling confident in your care is the first step toward healing, we’ll take as long as you need to address your concerns. We’ll have a few questions of our own, too. To start off, we’ll ask for basic information like your medical history and the reason for your visit. When we have this information and after we’ve taken your vital signs, we’ll decide on the best way to care for you.

At Frye Regional Medical Center Emergency Department, we use a process known as triage to help prioritize care for our patients. This may mean that a later-arriving patient suffering from a stroke or heart attack is treated before someone in less critical condition. Whatever your condition, we always strive to keep emergency room wait times as short as possible, so you can get the care you need.

Parents and caregivers should always seek immediate medical attention if a child is having a medical emergency. To receive the best care possible as quickly as possible, patients should:

• • • Bring a list of medications and / or allergies; know how often and how long medications have been taken.
    • Know child's immunization history.
    • Remain calm to make it easier to communicate with the emergency team.

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