The Morehouse General Hospital is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for life-threatening illnesses and accidents. We hope that you never experience such a situation, but if you do, we want you to know that our emergency room doctors and nurses are prepared to care for you and your family with the highest quality medical care efficiently and timely.
Visiting any emergency room can be stressful. We want you to know what you can expect during at a visit to our emergency room.
Triage
When you present to the emergency room, a nurse will take your vital signs and conduct an exam. They will complete a brief medical history and ask you questions about your symptoms. The triage process helps us determine the urgency of your emergency. This allows us to take care of the most critical patients first. Do not be alarmed if someone who arrives after you is treated before you. We see all patients as quickly as possible, but those with the most urgent needs will always be seen first.
Registration & Insurance
You will be asked to provide your basic information such as name, address, phone number, and insurance information.
If your emergency is not life-threatening, you may be asked to provide this information in the reception area. If you are put into an exam room, this could be obtained at bedside.
Evaluation
Once you are admitted to a treatment area you will be examined by a nurse and a physician. The physician may order blood work, a urine sample, or diagnostic tests, such as X-ray or CT scans. The length of your evaluation and treatment is often determined by the tests that are ordered. Some tests take longer than others and your nurse will keep you informed about how long such tests are likely to take. We appreciate your patience while we receive diagnostic results that will better enable us to treat you appropriately.
Treatment
Once your evaluation is complete, the physician will order appropriate treatment and medications, as well as make any appropriate referrals for follow-up.
Discharge
Most patients are discharged from the emergency room after treatment to their own home. Before you leave the emergency room, you will receive discharge paperwork that will instruct you about how to take care of yourself and will contain information about your medications and follow-up appointments. It is important to follow these instructions and if you have any questions about this paperwork, you should ask your emergency room nurse.
Hospital Admission
If you are admitted to the hospital from the emergency room, your primary care physician will be notified. If you do not have a primary care physician, a physician employed by Morehouse General Hospital (called a hospitalist) will be assigned to you.
Emergency Agencies
Morehouse General Hospital Emergency Department is supported by a number of other emergency agencies. We work closely with Med Life ambulance service and Air Evac to ensure the best continuity and transfer of care. We also participate with Glenwood Medical Center’s Chest Pain Center to improve outcomes for patients who are exhibiting symptoms of a heart attack and Ochsner Health System’s Telestroke Services to improve outcomes for patients who are exhibiting symptoms of a stroke.
