What to Expect

Below you’ll find more information below about what to expect during your visit to the Emergency Department at Wise Health System. You can also click below to download the Emergency Department Education booklet that provides more details about our department.

When You Arrive

Whether you arrive by ambulance or private vehicle, you will be assessed as quickly as possible by an emergency nurse. After you sign in, you will be called to triage. The registered nurse at triage will ask you basic information regarding your health history, medications you take, and what brought you to the Emergency Department today. You may be taken to a room immediately based on your triage information.

Please be patient with us. We give life-threatening conditions immediate attention. Therefore, it may take longer for us to start your care.

It is difficult to determine wait times because the Emergency Department is often unpredictable. The waiting room may appear empty, but EMS may be bringing patients by ambulance through the back door of the Emergency Department. Your wait may also be due to a larger number of patients being treated in the Emergency Department during your visit.

Examinations

The Emergency Department care provider who sees you is a highly skilled professional and will examine you as quickly as possible. Remember that the sickest patients or those with life-threatening injuries will be seen first.

Tests and X-Rays

The care provider may order tests and x-rays, if necessary. Some tests require blood to be drawn; others may require you to be transported to another department. Results of these tests may take some time. If you do not understand a specific procedure, please ask your care provider or nurse for an explanation.

Text Results

As soon as your test results are available, the care provider will explain the results to you. At times, an additional test may be necessary.

Your Treatment

Depending on your condition, the treatment may be simple or complex. Treating you may involve splints, bandages, IV’s or other medications. Depending on your condition, it may take a few minutes or several hours.

Pain Management Policies

For your safety, Emergency Services follows certain guidelines when managing chronic pain for a patient. Our emergency/acute care facility will only provide pain relief options that are safe and appropriate.

Click here to download a PDF file and read more about the pain management guidelines we follow.

Discharge or Hospital Admission

The care provider will determine if you are to be discharged from the Emergency Department or admitted to the hospital. The hospitalist or Emergency Department provider may need to talk to your family care provider about your treatment.

If you are admitted to the hospital, you may need to stay in the treatment area until a bed is available. You will be transferred from the Emergency Department as quickly as possible.

If you are discharged home, your nurse will provide you with a copy of your discharge instructions and prescriptions from the care provider. The nurse will explain the instructions and the medications and will answer any questions about your treatment. You will be instructed to follow-up with a care provider for continuing care. Please follow these instructions carefully.

Questions or Concerns

Finally, if you have any questions while in the Emergency Department, please ask. The Emergency Care Team is here to provide quality care to you and your family. A charge nurse is available around the clock if you experience any problems.