When you need immediate medical attention, Calvert Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department is ready to care for you. We use a “direct-to-bed” approach that allows patients to be triaged in an ED bed without waiting in the triage area out front. The nurse, doctor, medical technician and registrar see the patient together. This is more efficient and avoids separate steps after a patient arrives. In this way, the physician is able to see patients soon after arrival.
When beds are not immediately available, we use a “rapid medical evaluation” process, which allows a provider to see patients just after triage, without having to wait for an available room in the main ED. Tests can be ordered and treatment given more quickly, and a patient’s time in the department is reduced. Additionally, our nurses use physician-approved protocols to expedite lab work and radiological studies, which also decrease the time patients would otherwise stay. A new treatment zone was opened to provide more space for patients, as well.
Timesaving technology also plays a major role in speeding care. A computerized tracking system keeps tabs on what is being done for each patient, minute-by-minute. Digital radiography eliminates X-ray film and allows physicians to see images instantly and start treatment. Registration is completed at the patient’s bedside. If someone does not have insurance, the staff can provide information about local resources available to assist them.
On the inpatient side, the hospital medical staff makes every effort to discharge inpatients earlier in the day. This allows admitted patients in the Emergency Department to go upstairs more quickly. This also opens more beds for arriving patients. This has all been a team effort as we strive to enhance the patient care experience. Our goal is to provide timely, safe and high quality care for our patients.
Emergency services also include confidential psychiatric evaluations and referrals 24 hours a day. Specially trained nurses are available to provide individual attention to victims of sexual assault. The S.A.F.E. staff works closely with county agencies to provide accurate information about local resources for counseling and court preparation.
