Triage
Why is there a waiting time in the Emergency Department?
Important Things to Bring
Why are some patients seen before other patients?
Visitors
Here are some important things to keep in mind when coming to Emergency
Triage
When you arrive at the Emergency Department, you will be assessed by the triage nurse.
Triage is a system used to sort patients according to their medical condition. It helps us make sure the most critical patients are seen as soon as possible.
The nurse will assess your reason for coming for emergency care, your allergies, your past medical problems and the medication you take. The nurse will check your temperature pulse and blood pressure and will provide any immediate care needed.
Once you have seen the triage nurse, you may be taken
Immediately into the department or asked to wait in the waiting room.
While waiting, if you feel your condition has become worse, let the triage nurse know right away.
Why is there a waiting time in the Emergency Department?
The team works to provide quality care as quickly as possible.
The most seriously ill or injured patients are seen first, even though they may come in after other patients.
This is why the triage nurse checks everyone as soon as possible after they arrive.
Ambulances arriving may not be visible to the waiting room so you may not be aware that other patients have arrived. Patients arriving by ambulance will also be seen in turn, according to the severity of their illness.
It is not possible for the nurse to tell you when the doctor will see you, as some patients require more time to be examined and treated than others.
Important Things to Bring
- Your Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan card or other medical insurance card.
- A list of medications you take. If you do not have time to make a list, please bring the bottles.
- Any records you have concerning your health.
Why are some patients seen before other patients?
The most critical patients are seen first.
Some patients have arrangements to see a specialist in the Emergency Department. When the specialist arrives, the patients will be seen by that doctor.
Patients also pass thought the E.R. doors to get to the Surgical Day Care Unit and booked procedures in the Minor Procedure Room.
There are different types of rooms with specialized equipment needed for different medical problems, such as the casting room and the eye exam room. In this case, arrangements must be made to free the room before this type of care can be given.
Visitors
To provide privacy to patients and allow the staff to carry out their work, the Emergency department may limit visitors in treatment areas. One family member may stay with an elderly patient, a patient with communication difficulties or special needs. Other visitors and family will be asked to wait in the waiting room.