Five Steps of Emergency Care

Here at Bronson’s Emergency Department (ED), we see all patients as required by federal law. Our ED care team includes trauma and emergency doctors, nurses and more. They ensure care is given safely.

Steps of Emergency Care are:

Triage

In triage, you will share your symptoms, medical history and get a brief assessment. Then, we decide what care you need and how quickly you need it. Patients with the most severe emergencies are treated first. This is why some patients may get care before you, even if you arrived at the ED first. If your symptoms get worse as you wait, tell us right away.

Registration

We need two key items during registration: information for your medical record and your consent for treatment, which will allow the doctor to treat you when providing the best care for you.

Evaluation and Treatment

In the ED, you will meet your care team. They will examine you and, if needed, a nurse, technician or doctor may:

• Start an intravenous (IV) line to give you medications or fluids.
• Begin tests to assess your condition. This may include blood or urine samples or send you for an X-ray or other imaging test.

During your visit, the staff in the ED will help you feel comfortable and informed.

Reevaluation

Your care team will reevaluate your condition and discuss care options once they have your test results. You know your body. How you feel can be just as important as your test results, so be sure to let them know about any pain or discomfort you feel.

The staff may also:

• Contact your doctor to learn more.
• Refer you to an on-call doctor (if you don’t have a primary care doctor).
• Let you know if you need to be admitted to the hospital or treated and sent home.

Discharge

When you leave the hospital, you will get instructions to care for yourself at home. They tell you how to:

• Safely care for your wound or illness.
• Take prescribed medicine.
• Get follow-up care.
• Ask for any final information you need to give before you go home. This may include insurance and co-pay.

Be sure you understand your discharge instructions. If you have a question, please let us know while you are here. Once you are home, be sure to follow up with your primary care or referred doctor.

One to two weeks after your ED visit, you may get a survey asking for your opinion about your care. We welcome your feedback! Your comments help us to improve emergency care for future patients.

Bronson also offers immediate care options for non-life threatening illnesses or injuries.

Click here to review all of Bronson's Need Care Now options.