​What to Expect in the Emergency Department at Magee

The Emergency Department (ED) at Magee is a busy place. The ED staff works hard to ensure that all patients are seen in a timely manner and wait times are kept to a minimum.

When you arrive

When you arrive at the ED, you will be assessed right away by a caregiver to determine the severity of your illness or injury. This helps ensure that the patients with most serious problems are seen first.

Unlike a doctor's office, you cannot make an appointment for the ED. This means that sometimes many sick or injured patients arrive at the same time, causing a wait for those patients with less serious emergencies.

If a room is available, you will be taken immediately to an exam room. If a room is not immediately available, you will be asked to sit in the waiting area until a room becomes open.

When you are taken into an exam room

To prepare for the doctor’s exam, you might be asked to change into a hospital gown. You also might be attached to monitoring devices. Periodically, nurses and physicians will visit you, but these monitoring devices help our staff keep a constant eye on you.

The doctor may want to have tests or x-rays performed. Some tests may require you to go to another department. If you must leave the ED, a member of our staff will take you.

Please keep in mind that it often takes time for the results of tests or x-rays to become available. As soon as your results are available, your doctor will explain the findings to you.

Your treatment

Depending on your particular injury or illness, your treatment may be simple or complex. Your treatment may consist of splints, bandages, IVs, or medications, and can take a few minutes or several hours.

The doctor will always discuss your treatment with you or your family. If at any time you do not understand your treatment, please ask for more information from the nurses or doctor.

The doctor determines if it is best for you to be discharged home or admitted to the hospital. The doctor may speak to other specialists about your treatment. Sometimes calls to other doctors cause delays, especially if they are unable to answer or return our call immediately.

If you are discharged home, the nurse will explain your instructions and prescriptions, and answer any questions about your care or treatment. If you are admitted to the hospital, staff will take you to your room as soon as it is available.