What do these wait times mean?

How is the current waiting time calculated?

The Current Waiting Time is the actual length of time from registration to having a physician assigned to the case.  We like to refer to this as our “door to doc” time.  The time listed on the website is subject to change without notice.  There are many circumstances that affect waiting times.  When patients arrive by ambulance, they tend to be very sick and require our immediate attention.  Patients who arrive with life threatening and more serious injuries and ailments are seen before those with non-life threatening problems.

Why do some patients get seen first, even if they arrived after me?

Walk-in patients will first be seen by a triage nurse.  The nurse will ask some questions about how your are feeling and take vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse rate, breathing rate, and temperature. Your vital signs and a number of other factors will determine how quickly they need to be seen.  Patients who arrive with life threatening and more serious injuries and ailments are seen before those with non-life threatening problems.

What is Express Care?

All three of Middlesex Hospital’s Emergency Departments offer a special service called Express Care.  Express Care is meant for those patients who have injuries and ailments that need to be treated, but are not very serious or life threatening.  Having the Express Care service allows us to see patients much more quickly than most other Emergency Departments.

10 Things We Want You to Know:

Our Staff
Our emergency department staff is specially trained and certified in emergency medicine.    Our team consists of doctors, advanced practice nurses, registered nurses, physician assistants, secretaries, security staff, technicians, and patient access staff.  We are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you and your family if you have an emergency.

Your Treatment
You will be seen by the triage nurse who determines the priority of your care.  At times, multiple patients arrive at the same time.  Your symptoms are important to us.  We know they are worrisome and sometimes painful.  We take all symptoms seriously.  Patients with more serious problems are seen first. This might result in a delay as we work to save a life.  This doesn’t mean that you are any less important to us.  We will check your ID band often and ask you your name and birth date – before tests, medications and procedures.  We know this can be annoying, but bear with us while we assure your safety.

Waiting
We are concerned about your wait to see the provider.  We strive to provide timely treatment to everyone.  Ambulance patients arrive through a separate door and these patients often take priority as they tend to be very sick.  This can add to your wait.  If a bed is not immediately available for you, you will be asked to wait in our waiting room. If while in the waiting room your condition worsens please see the triage nurse immediately.  Feel free to check with our staff about your questions or your wait.  We work hard to reduce waiting times and want you to be pleased with our service. If you choose not to wait, we ask that you notify one of our staff before leaving.

Help us Help You
Cell phones should be turned off in patient treatment areas as they may interfere with our equipment.  We ask that you make a list of your allergies, doctors, their phone numbers, and list your medications and dosages on a card.  Be sure to bring it with you every time you come to visit us.  Keep this in your wallet or purse.  Once in the exam room, you will be asked to undress and put on a hospital gown so the provider can examine you.  Your visit with us may last several minutes to several hours depending on your illness and your tests. Your privacy is imperative to us.  We cannot share information with others unless you give us permission.   Our staff will be check on you frequently during your stay. Let us know if you need anything.

Ordering Tests
We order tests that are required to diagnose your symptoms. Some symptoms do not require blood tests or x-rays. Our doctors will decide which tests are necessary.

Help us Avoid the Spread of Germs
It’s up to all of us to prevent the spread of germs.  Please cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve when you need to cough or sneeze.   If you sneeze or cough in your hand, be sure to wash your hands.  If you are sick, avoid close contact with others.  Get shots to prevent the spread of infection like: chicken pox, mumps, meningitis, hepatitis, flu and pneumonia.  You will see our staff washing their hands often.  If you don’t, please speak up.

Seeing a Specialist
Caring for you may require us to contact a specialist such as a heart doctor or surgeon.  They are not in our department and need to be contacted. Our provider might want to speak to your doctor about your care.  This process may add to your wait time.  Our goal is to provide you with the best and appropriate care.

Prescription Medications
Not every treatment requires a prescription to make you better.  Antibiotics are not given for illnesses caused by viruses.  If you are given a prescription, be sure to follow the instructions until they are finished.  If you have long term pain, please understand we cannot prescribe long term pain medication.  You will need to see your regular doctor or pain clinic.

After Care Instructions
You may be admitted to the hospital from here.  Sometimes there is a patient in the bed to which you are assigned who has not left the hospital yet.  We will keep you in our department until the bed is ready.   If you are discharged home, it is important for you to follow the instructions we give you.  We are here to answer your questions.  You will be referred back to your own doctor after your visit here.  We care about you and your health.

Give us Your Feedback
Our goal is to provide excellent medical care with outstanding customer service.  If you have concerns, questions or suggestions, we’d love to hear from you. You may call the number listed on your instructions.  You may receive a survey when you get home.  Please complete it with honest feedback.  We use the survey comments to identify ways to improve what we do.   We are here to ensure that your visit here is the best possible.  Thank you for choosing one of Middlesex Hospital’s Emergency Departments.