The emergency department (ED) is a medical facility with the most advanced equipment and a multidisciplinary team. The emergency department treats a variety of illnesses, including cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and orthopedic issues. Despite the limited budget of many communities, most EDs are required to treat patients regardless of their ability to pay. In addition, these facilities can provide life-saving treatments during the first 10 minutes of a serious illness.
In an emergency, patients can be assessed in a triage area before being seen in the emergency department. While most patients will be evaluated and passed to other areas of the hospital, some may complete treatment during their stay. While most patients will require treatment in the emergency department, many are not serious conditions and can be treated in the comfort of home. Some of these patients will be referred to a more serious medical facility for further evaluation. The following are some of the most common emergency conditions and how they are handled.
Last Line
The organizational structure of emergency departments varies from community to community. In most communities, emergency department personnel are trained in this field and can be found in hospitals, fire departments, and independent agencies. In addition to nurses, other health care professionals can be employed in the emergency room. All of these professionals have extensive knowledge of the field and are well-trained to provide emergency care. However, in some situations, the primary source of care is an ambulance.
