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W W W
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S A M A R I T A N H E A L T H C A R E
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C O M
THANKS TO TV,
the emergency department might be the
part of the hospital you feel like you’re most familiar with.
But how much do you really know about it? And how
con dent are you in your understanding of how the de-
partment operates and how you can make a trip to the
emergency department go more smoothly?
Here are ve things everyone should know about visit-
ing the emergency department:
1
It’s not for routine care.
As the name implies, the
emergency department is for emergencies—things like
chest pain, uncontrolled bleeding or severe vomiting.
If you simply have a sore throat, are looking for a u
shot or would like to get a physical, it’s not the place
to turn. Health care needs like these are better met by
nding and developing an ongoing relationship with a
primary care doctor.
2
It’s helpful to plan ahead.
No one expects to end
up in the emergency department. But if you do, being
ready helps ensure that needed care will be delivered as
quickly as possible.
To get you and your family ready:
Complete a medical history form for each family
member, and keep it up-to-date. e form provides
important information about each person’s health prob-
lems, medications and allergies. It should be given to the
emergency department sta upon arrival.
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
5 TIPS THAT
CAN SMOOTH
YOUR VISIT
Complete a consent-to-treat form for each of your
children. Give the form to babysitters, relatives, teachers
or others who care for your kids in your absence. is
form enables caregivers to authorize medical treatment
for your child in an emergency.
You’ll nd these forms on the website of the American
College of Emergency Physicians,
www.acep.org
.
3
You might not be seen right away.
e department
doesn’t operate on a rst-come, rst-served basis. A
specially trained nurse evaluates patients and prioritizes
who should be seen most quickly based on his or her
condition—a system called triage.
e sta will do all they can to see you as soon as
possible. But be aware—sometimes there are long waits.
4
It’s important to be specific.
e more details you
can provide about your symptoms, the better the sta will
be able to help you. Be sure to alert someone if there is
any change in your condition.
5
Following instructions when you’re released is a
must.
Getting better depends on following the advice of
the doctor who treated you. is might mean taking a
prescription as directed, returning to the hospital if your
condition worsens or seeing your regular physician for
follow-up care. Be sure you’re clear about what you need
to do before you leave the emergency department. If not,
don’t hesitate to ask questions.
A specially trained nurse at
Samaritan evaluates patients and prioritizes
who should be seen most quickly based on
his or her condition—a system called triage.
FAMILY MEDICINE - 793-9780
Craig Talbot, MD
Kevin Smith, MD
Jodi O’Shea, PA-C
Eric Aronsohn, PA-C
GENERAL SURGERY - 793-9785
Cecily Wang, MD
David Murray, MD
Rodney Grolman, MD
INTERNAL MEDICINE - 793-9780
Conrado DeLeon, MD
WOMEN’S HEALTH - 793-9786
Cynthia Brooke, MD
Flora Ogden, ARNP, CNM
OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE - 793-9788
George Monlux, MD
PODIATRY - 793-9783
Daren Vernon, DPM
URGENT CARE - 793-9790
Bob Mikiska, PA-C
S
amaritan
C
liniC
Pioneer Medical Center
1550 S. Pioneer Way
Moses Lake, WA
Quality Care Close to Home
ORTHOPEDICS - 793-9789
John Wheaton, MD
Corbin Moberg, PA-C
John Loudon, PA-C
THE SAMARITAN
is published as a
community service for the
friends and patrons of
SAMARITAN HEALTHCARE,
801 E. Wheeler Road,
Moses Lake, WA 98837,
telephone 509-765-5606,
website
www.samaritanhealthcare.com
.
Connie Opheikens
Community Relations
Coordinator
Information in
THE SAMARITAN comes
from a wide range of
medical experts. If you
have any concerns or
questions about speci c
content that may affect
your health, please contact
your health care provider.
Models may be used in
photos and illustrations.
Copyright © 2012
Coffey Communications, Inc.
HST28554
Th e
Teach kids to call
for emergency help
In an emergency, your littlest family
members could be your biggest allies. So
making sure they know how to summon
help is something every parent should do.
According to the American College of
Emergency Physicians, even 3-year-olds
may understand the concept of 911.
At about that age, you can teach them
to call 911 if they need a police officer, a
firefighter or an ambulance. Stress that
you call only for emergencies—it’s not a
game. And talk about what some emer-
gencies might be.
Of course, every child should also
know his or her name, address and phone
number. You can start to teach these to
your child as you teach the ABCs.
You can also help your child practice
making an emergency call by pretend-
ing to be a 911 operator. Ask your child
questions an operator would ask, such
as: What is your emergency? What is
your address? What is your full name?
Hopefully, your child will never have
to make a 911 call. But if the need does
arise, knowing he or she is prepared may
give you peace of mind.
FALL
2012
8
F A L L 2 0 1 2
T H E
S A M A R I T A N