What to Expect when you Visit the Emergency Department
October 9, 2026
TV dramas set in a hospital Emergency Department (ED) typically feature life and death cases meant to draw the viewer in, and that’s something these programs get right – when you have a true emergency health situation, every minute counts. However, there is also a process that must be followed to ensure that patients who need immediate care are able to receive it.
When you arrive at your hospital’s ED as a walk-in patient you will go to the front counter to check in and explain the reason for your visit. You will be asked for information, including your name, address, and medical history. Afterward, you will see a triage nurse who will check your vital signs (heart rate, temperature, blood pressure), inquire about your symptoms, and take a more detailed medical history. Based on the information gathered here, the triage nurse will determine the severity of your condition and whether you can safely return to the ED waiting room before being taken to the examination area. If you arrive at the ED by ambulance, you will be brought directly into the examination area.
Once you are taken to the ED examination area, your vital signs will be monitored, and you’ll meet with a specially trained emergency physician or an Advanced Practice Provider (APP). Following a physical examination, the physician or APP may order tests including blood work, x-rays or an EKG. If necessary to provide pain relief, you may be given medications or intravenous fluids while in the ED.
After your test results come back, the emergency physician or APP will meet with you to discuss your diagnosis and resulting treatment plan. Before you are discharged from the ED, you will also be given written instructions with information about new medications that may have been prescribed and any worsening symptoms that would prompt a return visit to the ED. You may also be encouraged to follow-up with your primary care physician (PCP) or a specialist who can provide additional care for your condition. If needed, your ED provider can also give you a referral to a PCP.
At Saint Francis Hospital, the ED is a verified Level 1 Trauma Center where treatment of serious, as well as non-life-threatening emergencies, is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week by board-certified physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. ED nurses also receive specialty certifications in emergency nursing and trauma care.
Learn more about the Emergency Department at Saint Francis HospitalAt Saint Mary’s Hospital, the ED is a Level 2 Trauma Center – a designation that reflects the quality care that hospital providers deliver in accordance with the standards established by the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma. Saint Mary’s Hospital has also been recognized by the American Heart Association for meeting high standards of performance in the quick and appropriate treatment of heart attack patients.
Learn more about the Emergency Department at Saint Mary's HospitalAt Johnson Memorial Hospital, patients who seek treatment in the ED receive safe, high-quality care 24 hours a day, seven days a week in an atmosphere designed to maximize patient privacy and comfort. The Johnson ED also has special rooms to accommodate the unique needs of women, children, stroke and heart attack victims, psychiatric patients and sexual assault victims.
Learn more about the Emergency Department at Johnson Memorial Hospital