Emergency room

Emergency room (also known as emergency department, accident & emergency, emergency ward, or casualty department) is a medical treatment facility specializing in acute care of patients who present without prior appointment, either by their own means or by ambulance.

Overview

The emergency department is usually found in a hospital or other primary care center. Due to the unplanned nature of patient attendance, the department must provide initial treatment for a broad spectrum of illnesses and injuries, some of which may be life-threatening and require immediate attention.

Function

In some countries, emergency departments have become important entry points for those without other means of access to medical care. The emergency departments of most hospitals operate 24 hours a day, although staffing levels may be varied in an attempt to reflect patient volume.

Triage

Triage is normally the first stage the patient passes through, and consists of a brief assessment, including a set of vital signs, and the assignment of a "chief complaint" (i.e. the reason for the patient's visit). Most emergency departments have a dedicated area for this process, and may have staff dedicated to performing nothing but a triage role. In most departments, this role is fulfilled by a nurse, although dependent on jurisdiction, other health care professionals may perform the triage assessment, including paramedics or doctors.

Treatment

Following triage, the patient may be moved to an area of the department, or another area of the hospital, where they can be further evaluated and treated. Treatment may also include psychological therapy, physical therapy, emergency surgery or urgent care.

See also

• Urgent care
• Trauma center
• Intensive care unit
• Medical emergency

References

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