What to Expect
Coming to an emergency room can be an anxious and confusing time. The following is a guide of what to expect during your visit.
When visiting one of our emergency rooms, you’ll be met with three important steps:
- Triage: Upon arrival, you will be seen by a nurse who assesses your care needs based on your symptoms and the severity of your illness or injury.
- Registration: A Health Unit Clerk or registered nurse will collect information about the patient (age, religion, etc.), insurance coverage and current physicians. For questions about billing or insurance, our a financial counselor at Kona Community Hospital or the Business Office at Kohala Hospital is available to assist you.
- Medical Care: Every patient is assigned an emergency department nurse who will be with you throughout your visit.
Prioritizing Patient Care
- If you notice that other people are being seen before you, it’s because patients with severe symptoms are seen first.
- If you think you’ve been overlooked, please ask someone for help. We will update you as often as possible.
- If you feel your condition is worsening and you need to be seen right away, ask to be checked by a nurse.
Once You’re Admitted
You’ll be brought to a room in the treatment area. A nurse will collect your medical information and answer any questions. The physician in charge of your care will conduct an examination and blood or imaging tests may also be performed.
Treatment
- After evaluation, our emergency room physicians will discuss treatment plans with you or your family. All information is also forwarded to your primary care physician.
- For some common illnesses, lab work may be ordered before you see a physician to help speed up diagnosis and treatment.
- If you require a short period of observation, you may be moved to an observation bed for several hours with care provided by our physicians and nurses.
- If admission to the hospital is needed, the physician will discuss the details with you and your family and your primary care physician will be notified. If you don’t have a doctor, an on-call physician on our staff will be assigned.
Also Keep in Mind
- Pain: Treating pain is a priority. If you feel your pain is not being adequately managed, please let your physician or nurse know.
- Valuables: Please give any valuables to a friend or family member for safe-keeping. If no one is available, our staff will arrange for secure storage.
- Visitors: In-room visitors are limited to one per patient (two if the patient is a child). We encourage visitors to stay with the patient unless evaluations or procedures are being performed. Unauthorized visitors must remain in the waiting area.
- Food: Patients should not eat or drink while in the emergency room, as it may interfere with care.
Discharge
If you are discharged after treatment, written discharge instructions will be provided. Follow-up recommendations will be included on the form. Once home, if your symptoms worsen or change, please contact your primary care physician or return to the Emergency Department.