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Emergency Services
Holy Cross Hospital went through a major expansion in 2004-2005, costing some $14.5 million. One part of the major construction project was to greatly expand the Emergency Department.
The Emergency Department is 6,876 square feet with a total of twelve exam rooms, a lobby waiting area, a parking area on the south side of the Hospital for ED patients and easy access to operating rooms and imaging areas.
There are a total of seven board-certified Emergency Room Physicians, four Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners on–staff, 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week to treat all of your emergency medical needs.
Experienced Clinical Staff
A total of sixteen RNs and six EMTs are certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Neo-natal (newborn) Resuscitation and Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum. These dedicated professionals are also available around-the-clock every day of the week to help emergency patients.
State-of-the-Art Technology and Equipment
The most current technology and medical equipment are used to treat emergency patients. For patients with severe traumas that may require imaging studies or an immediate operation, the ED is set up for efficient access and rapid response to medical emergencies.
Dr. Oskar Moller, MD heads the Holy Cross Hospital Emergency Room physician team. Other emergency physicians include Michael Howard, MD; Per Bjorkman, MD; Linda Lynch, MD; Haywood Hall, MD; and Michael Simmons, MD.
Visitors
One visitor per adult patient is allowed to be in the Emergency Department while the patient is being assessed and treated. Parents may be in the emergency exam area with children under the age of fourteen who are emergency patients. Siblings will not be allowed and will need to be supervised while in the waiting area.
Critically ill patients may have more than one visitor as determined by the Hospital staff.
Hospital Helipad and Air Transport
Fixed wing and rotor helicopter services are readily available to our Hospital. With a helipad adjacent to the Emergency Department, patients needing specialized medical treatment can be airlifted on short notice.
What is Triage?
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Emergency rooms across the country face the most difficult occupational decisions that exist: deciding whose life-threatening situation to address first. To save as many lives as possible, ER staff uses the triage system.
Both nationally and locally, hospital ERs are becoming more overcrowded due to various factors, including a nationwide decrease in ERs, fewer minor medical options for non-urgent patients and more people moving into rural areas supported by only a few hospitals. As ERs gets busier, it becomes even more vital for health professionals to use a system to screen and categorize patients.
The process sorts the most critical patients from those in less immediate danger. The triage system begins with the evaluation of incoming patients into the ER. A triage nurse asks a series of questions to determine exactly how life threatening the injury or illness is, how much pain patients have, how long the condition has existed and how quickly patients’ health is deteriorating. Even patients who are brought in by ambulance must undergo this process. Paramedics perform similar assessments for patients who are brought in by ambulance.
Once a patient has been admitted by the triage nurse or paramedic, the patient is then classified in one of five categories ranging from most urgent to least urgent. Patients in the most danger will be seen first. Those who do not have life-threatening illnesses are seen after physicians have treated those with more immediate needs.
What to Expect from Your Visit to the Emergency Department at HCH
An Emergency Care Center is a medical facility set up to serve critically ill and/or seriously injured persons. Emergency care facilities also provide the equipment and supplies to treat patients that non-emergency facilities may not. An emergency medical team usually treats the immediate medical needs of a patient and then refers the patient to non-emergency professionals for follow-up care. However, many emergency care centers have departments that treat less critical conditions as well.
What Happens When I Arrive to the Emergency Department?
When you arrive, you will meet with a member of the emergency triage team who will evaluate your condition and assign you to the most appropriate area of the department. It is very important that the most seriously ill and/or injured persons be treated first.
Before you can be treated in the emergency center, you must sign a consent form to authorize the appropriate medical treatment to be determined by the emergency medical team. Consent from a parent or legal guardian is required for children.
Creating a record of your visit is necessary. After being evaluated and/or treated, you will be asked to complete some forms that primarily ask for your personal health information, your family's medical history and your medical insurance coverage. All information you provide to the emergency care personnel is protected by the HIPAA Privacy Rule.
Will I Have to Wait to See a Nurse or Physician?
Every effort is made to provide prompt care but you may have to wait before you are seen by a medical professional. There is a variety of reasons for this. The most common reason is that other patients may need to be treated first due to a more serious injury or illness. You may also have to wait for procedures such as x-rays and laboratory tests and the results can take awhile to be obtained and reviewed. Your patience is always appreciated.
Who Will Treat Me at the Emergency Department?
The emergency medical team consists mainly of nurses and physicians who are specially trained for emergency medicine. Some centers also have medical technicians who provide assistance with laboratory work, x-rays and special medical equipment. This emergency team is specifically trained to treat all types of medical emergencies. Some of the most common are:
- Heart Attacks
- Burn Injuries
- Injuries From Accidents at Home or At Work
- Injuries From Automobile Accidents
- Violence-Related Injuries
- Emotional Distress
- Poisonings
Will I Be Allowed to Have Visitors During My Treatment?
Yes, usually, but the number of visitors in the emergency treatment area is kept to a minimum. This allows the emergency team sufficient space to do their job quickly and effectively. It ensures that the patients are receiving the best medical care as well as maintain an appropriated level of privacy. Every effort is made to keep your loved ones informed of your condition as well as allow them to be with you when possible.
Will I Receive Care Instructions Before I Leave the Emergency Department?
Yes, and it is very important that you understand and follow these directions accurately. If you do not understand the instructions or have any questions about them, ASK! Patients are responsible for their own care after they leave the emergency care center. Patients are also responsible for and strongly encouraged to arrange follow-up appointments with their regular physicians. Emergency care centers can refer patients to appropriate physicians for follow-up care if necessary.
How and When Do I Pay For Treatment in the Emergency Department?
You will receive a bill for the services provided, including any special treatment services, physician services or medical supplies necessary during your visit. Most insurance providers offer co-pay for emergency care and the bill is initially submitted to the patient’s insurance company. The patient is then responsible for the balance due after the insurance provider's payment is made. If you do not have insurance, you may also be required to pay for your care before leaving the emergency care center.
To download the Emergency Department brochure: click here.
Below are Some Links You May Find Helpful:
Call 1-800-222-1222
Heart Attack, Stroke and Cardiac Arrest Warning Signs
The Emergency Services brochure is available in downloaded form as a PDF. PDFs can be opened with Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have this program, click the button below to download the program free.
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