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EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

 

845.794.3300 Extension 2245

In an emergency, call 911.

Every patient is important to us, but please understand that we consider conditions that threaten life and limb to be immediate medical emergencies that must be treated first. These conditions may include:

•          Chest pain
•          Major trauma (auto accidents, gunshot wounds, stabbings,    serious burns, injury from power saws, falls from high places,    etc.)
•          Heavy bleeding
•          Unconsciousness
•          Severe abdominal pain
•          Severe breathing problems
•          Open fractures that show the bone

You will be treated as soon as possible according to the severity of your condition.

 

Click here to watch our Emergency Department video

The Emergency Department at Catskill Regional Medical Center has all the resources that only a hospital can provide to handle all types of emergencies -- large and small.

Emergent Care

Emergent care means that the absence of medical attention will result in a threat to the person's life, limb or sight.

• Trauma
• Heart attacks
• Strokes
• Pediatric emergencies
• Critical illnesses

If you think you or someone near you is having a heart attack or a stroke, get to the Emergency Department immediately. Every minute without oxygen can kill more heart or brain cells. A person who reaches our Emergency Department within a few hours of a heart attack or stroke will receive a thrombolytic drug that can prevent permanent damage to the heart or brain. Fast treatment with a thrombolytic drug may save a life. These drugs are not available at urgent care centers.

Trauma patients are given special care to provide stabilization by the trained ED Trauma Team. Transportation to a Trauma Center is provided by helicopter or by Advanced Life Support ground service.

Treat and Release

Patients with non-life-threatening problems who can be seen by a medical professional, quickly diagnosed, treated and sent home immediately after treatment are considered treat-and-release patients. 

• Minor injuries
• Lacerations
• Sprains
• Fractures
• Upper respiratory infections

Our specially-trained ED staff is dedicated to their fast and efficient treatment to minimize ED wait time.

CRMC's Emergency Department features:

• 24/7/365 service: open 24 hours a day, including holidays
• Board-certified emergency physicians to ensure the best possible emergency care
• Bedside registration
• Wireless bedside monitoring
• Bedside x-ray capabilities
• Two negative pressure rooms for isolation of patients with airborne contagious diseases
• Advanced technology for diagnostic testing and advanced emergency care
• Electronic health records
• Paperwork for admissions done on-site in the Emergency Department
• A private consultation room for families dealing with grief or an emergency situation
• Comfortable patient environment with private treatment rooms with flat-screen LCD TVs and on-site security
• Eight treat-and-release rooms
• 16 Dedicated treatment rooms for serious injuries

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens When I Go to the Emergency Department?

When you arrive at the Emergency Department, you will be greeted by our registration staff who will ask your name, date of birth and reason for coming to the Emergency Department. After these quick questions, you will be taken to a patient care area where a nurse will conduct a preliminary exam to evaluate your condition.

 

Who Is on the Emergency Department Health Care Team?

Our Emergency Department health care team includes:

•          Physicians
•          Nurse practitioners
•          Physician assistants
•          Nurses
•          Radiology, laboratory, respiratory and other technicians
•          Secretaries
•          Registrars
•          Guest services staff
•          Administrators

The physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses and the rest of your Emergency Department health care team all work together to provide you with excellent emergency medical care.

Just as in your own doctor’s office, you may be cared for by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner.

He/she may treat you by:

•          Conducting your physical exam
•          Diagnosing and treating your illness
•          Ordering and interpreting tests
•          Counseling on preventive health care
•          Ordering prescriptions
•          Suturing, applying splints

 

Why Are Some Waits Longer than Others?

While we will do our best to care for you in a timely manner, we know that sometimes the wait may seem long. The following time estimates are provided to assist you in managing your stay with us and getting back to your daily routines. We value your time and your health.

•          X-rays and lab tests can add one or two hours to your visit, for completion and interpretation.
•          Special procedures, like CT scans and ultrasounds, can take up to three hours for testing and results to be interpreted by your practitioner, and in some cases, another medical specialist.
•          In some cases, your primary care physician or a specialist will need to be contacted, and it may take 30-60 minutes or longer before he or she responds.

We will make every effort to keep you informed about any delays and will continue to work to reduce the time you spend in our Emergency Department.

 

What About Visitors?

We understand the importance of having a family member present with you while you are being treated. However, in order to provide patients with the best medical care and to maintain the privacy of other patients, the staff of the Emergency Department reserves the right to decide the number of visitors present. There may be times when a critical patient needs to have several staff members at the bedside. The staff may ask surrounding visitors to wait in the waiting room. Your cooperation in complying with this request is appreciated.

 

What Happens When I Am Ready to Go Home?

When you are ready to return home, you will be given written instructions, including:

•         Our emergency medical opinion of your condition and any danger signs to watch out for when you get home
•         Complete explanation for any medications that have been prescribed
•         Information regarding any side effects with a medication
•         Suggested follow-up care or physician referral
•         Signs and symptoms of when to return to the Emergency Department or seek attention from your primary care physician

 

It is important that you follow these instructions when released from the hospital.

 

If you have any questions or concerns about these instructions, please ask the nurse before you leave the hospital. We want to make sure that you understand and are comfortable with your instructions before you go home.

 

If you need help or have more questions after you leave the Emergency Department, please call our Emergency Department Patient Relations staff at 845-794-3300 ext. 2185 (open Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.). After hours, contact the Emergency Department at 845-794-3300 ext. 2245.

 

What Happens If I Am Admitted?

If you are admitted to the hospital, the Emergency Department physician will speak with an inpatient physician, who will assume responsibility for your care. The Admitting Department will assign you a room in the hospital. Once your room is ready, a nurse and/or nursing assistant will accompany you to your room.

Click here to view our Emergency Department brochure

 

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