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What is the purpose of emergency department resuscitation?
The resuscitation area is where the most seriously ill or injured patients get immediate care. It is always equipped with necessary tools and staffed to handle life-threatening situations swiftly.
Typically, the department always has at least one attending physician and one or two trauma-trained nurses. Other healthcare professionals, such as ambulance staff, respiratory therapists, residents, radiographers, pharmacists, and students in related fields, may also assist.
When is a patient referred to the emergency room?
If you have any life-threatening conditions or some issue that could lead to permanent disability, you can be referred to an emergency room right away. Some of the most popular signs of medical emergency includes:
- Uncontrolled bleeding.
- Acute heart failure or difficulty breathing.
- Severe eye injuries.
- Injuries to the head, spine, or back.
- Broken bones or dislocated joints.
- Severe abdominal pain.
- Sudden change in mental status, sudden severe headache or other symptoms of stroke neurology.
Steps to expect when arriving at the emergency department
Although going to the emergency department means you need treatment as soon as possible, it doesn’t mean that who arrives first will be treated first. Typically, when arriving at the emergency department, you can expect the following steps:
Step 1: Triage
Upon your arrival, emergency department doctors will check how serious your condition is. Based on the urgency of the health issues, the patients with life-threatening conditions are treated first. Generally, the triage systems has 5 levels:
| Level | Condition |
| Level 1: Immediate | Cardiopulmonary arrest, severe trauma, respiratory failure with need for ventilation, shock of any etiology (cardiac, septic, hemorrhagic, etc), epileptic state, airway symptoms from smoke inhalation or burns, need for airway protection and intubation, severe and symptomatic hypoglycemia, any condition with impaired consciousness (GCS <9), anaphylaxis. |
| Level 2: Emergency | Myocardial infarction (STEMI, NSTEMI with persistent pain), hemoptysis, acute respiratory problems, hematemesis, intracranial hemorrhage, postictal state after epileptic seizure, acute stroke within time frame for fibrinolytic therapy, meningitis, high fever with chills, severe sepsis, substance intoxication, impaired consciousness, ketoacidosis, acute psychosis, hypoglycemia. |
| Level 3: Urgent | Unstable angina, heart failure (stable), continuous vomiting, stable hemorrhage, myocardial infarction without high severity (NSTEMI without pain), febrile infection, abdominal pain, pulmonary embolism (stable), hypertensive crisis, presentation after syncope. |
| Level 4: Semi-urgent | Non-urgent cases, such as self-resolving infections such as the common cold. |
| Level 5: Non-urgent |
Elective situations or those that don’t need immediate attention. |
Step 2: Registration
The registration process is important as it helps the emergency staff gather information for your medical record and get your consent for treatment. This information is necessary to order tests to help the doctor decide on the best care for you.
Step 3: Treatment
After your diagnose tests are completed, a doctor will come for a more detailed examination and to provide a diagnosis. Then they will decide whether you need to be admitted to the hospital or not.
Depending on your condition (for example, acute coronary syndrome or acute asthma), treatment options may include starting clinical treatment pathways.
All activities and services follow the approved policies of the Emergency Department and the hospital’s guidelines. The Emergency Department works closely with other specialties to ensure smooth patient referrals, allowing the appropriate medical team to be involved in each specific case.
Step 4: Re-evaluation
Once your test results are ready, doctors will re-evaluate your condition and may adjust your medication. If you experience any sudden pain or discomfort, remember to inform them. Then they will decide if you need to stay longer in the hospital or if you can go home. If you need to be admitted, you will need a friend or family member to assist.
Step 5: Discharge
In the end, the doctor will decide if you are ready to go home. You might get your discharge orders after a few hours or a few days. Before leaving, you will get information about any prescriptions, follow-up appointments, and how to take care of yourself. Remember to follow these instructions to stay healthy and prevent another trip to the emergency department.
Emergency department resuscitation is vital for saving lives in urgent situations. If you need further assistance or advice regarding a critical situation, don’t hesitate to contact us for timely support.
