St. John’s Emergency Department physicians and staff are committed to providing excellence in patient care. It is our goal to ensure that all patients receive the highest quality of care while in our department.

Our triage staff has specialized training to rapidly identify any life-threatening or potentially life-threatening conditions. Patients identified by our triage staff to have life-threatening conditions are taken directly into the Emergency Trauma Center for evaluation.

When you arrive, the triage staff will ask you questions about your complaint and take your vital signs. Patients are not necessarily taken to a treatment room in the order in which they arrive. Patients are taken to treatment rooms based on the severity of their illness or injury. Some conditions require specialized treatment rooms. To expedite treatment, patient registration is now done at the bedside.

While you are waiting, please notify the triage staff if your condition changes or if there is anything we can do to make you more comfortable. We ask patients not to eat or drink while waiting to be seen in the Emergency Department as this may interfere with tests that may be required for your diagnosis and treatment.

Because patients waiting for treatment rooms to open may be re-prioritized based on the acuity of newly arriving patients, it is not possible to provide an exact waiting time to get into a treatment room. Please understand that each patient is entitled to confidentiality and we are unable to discuss the priority of other patient conditions.

When you are taken to a treatment room you will be asked to undress and put on a gown in preparation for your examination by a physician. A registered nurse will review your medical problem, take a medical history and perform a physical assessment.

The emergency physician will perform a physical examination and review your medical history. The physician may order tests to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of your condition. Additionally, the physician may consult with your personal physician to determine the best possible method of treatment and follow-up for your condition.

We often observe patients for a some time following treatment to make sure they are responding appropriately to the treatment and to lessen the potential of having to return to the Emergency Department with the same problem.

At times, our staff may have to re-prioritize the order in which patients are seen even after the patients have been placed in a treatment room. Please be patient during this process with the understanding that our staff is committed to providing exceptional care to you during your stay with us.

Your family and friends will be allowed to visit you, but we do limit visitors to two at a time. Your visitors may be asked to step out to the waiting room at times to protect your privacy. A television is available in the exam room for your convenience, and a telephone is accessible if you need to contact family or friends.