What to Expect at the ER
A visit to the emergency room can be stressful and daunting. If you are here for a medical emergency, this is how the process works at Frye Regional Medical Center.
Upon arrival
The emergency room physicians at Frye Regional Medical Center are board-certified to treat life-threatening medical emergencies for both adults and children. When you arrive, check-in with an emergency care nurse, who will ask you about your problem.
Triage and Assessment
The ER does not operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The most serious patients are seen first. An emergency care nurse will quickly assess the patient, ask for some basic information, and check vital signs such as pulse, temperature, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. You will then be escorted to a treatment room when one is available.
Patient Registration
A full bedside registration will take place in the treatment room. Even if you’ve been to Frye Regional Medical Center before, your information will need to be validated. This lets us track tests and procedures performed during your visit, and keep your health records up to date for future reference and available to your primary care physician.
Evaluation and Testing
Each emergency room patient is assigned a nurse who will check on your health status and take care of you during your stay. You will be examined by a physician, a physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner, who may order tests to determine the exact nature of your condition. We try to expedite the testing process, but can sometimes take a few hours to complete.
While you wait, you will be made as comfortable as possible. If your condition changes, notify your doctor or nurse immediately.
Friends and Family Welcome
Friends and family can stay with the patient except during the examination by the physician, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner. You can leave the treatment room and return by notifying the nurse. Don’t take food or drink to the patient without asking the nurse first.
Remember: Call 9-1-1
If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. EMS staff are trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. It is best to call EMS for rapid transport to the emergency room.