Emergency Services

When you’re looking for convenient, comprehensive Emergency Services, look to Martin General Hospital.

Emergencies: We Expect them Every Day

Visits to the Emergency Department (ED) are usually unexpected. For the team of medical professionals at Martin General Hospital, emergencies are our specialty. In fact, on average, we help more than 14,000 patients each year. The ED is a specialized area of the hospital designed to care for patients with acute illnesses or injuries. Specially trained physicians and registered nurses are available to provide care in all areas.

What You Can Expect

Upon arrival, you will give your name and reason for visit to the patient access representative who will in turn notify the nurse of your visit.  You will be called back into the department and taken immediately to a room for your triage screening. Immediate bedding is a process implemented at Martin General Hospital last December. 

You will have an assessment made by the Triage Nurse that will include your vital signs (temperature, blood pressure and pulse). You will be asked questions about allergies, past medical problems or surgeries you may have had, as well as what medications you take at home, including any over-the-counter medications and herbal remedies.

Plan of Care

Once you have arrived in the treatment area and are seen by the ED physician, you can expect to wait for test results and for the ED physician to review them and to make a decision regarding treatment, admission or discharge. This is a general time schedule of test results you may need in the ED:

Blood Tests: 30-60 minutes

Urine Tests: 15-30 minutes

X-Rays: 30 minutes

Ultrasound: 60 minutes

CT Scans: 60 minutes

These times are not exact and may vary depending on the particular type and number of tests ordered.

If the ED physician determines that you need to be admitted to the hospital, we will contact your private physician or an on-call physician, if you do not have a physician of your own. This physician will then be responsible for your care once you are transferred out of the ED to an inpatient bed.

When You Are Discharged

When you leave, you will receive instructions to continue your care. It is very important that you understand and follow these instructions. If you do not understand, please ask. If you have a family member or a friend with you, it is a good idea to have them listen to the instructions as well.

If medication has been prescribed, a nurse or physician will explain what it is, what it will do and when and how much of it to take. Also, possible side effects, such as nausea, will be explained and you’ll be told what to do if you experience them.

You will also receive instructions on follow-up care if it is needed, such as if you should return to the ED, if you should see your regular physician or if you should visit a specialist. If you do not have a physician, you will be referred to one.

Emergency Department Survey

You might receive a follow up call about your visit to the ED. Your thoughts are important to us. We appreciate you taking the time and effort to help us improve our services.

We have provided this information to you with the intent of making you feel more comfortable and informed while you are a patient or visitor in our Emergency Department.