HOSPITAL ADMISSION VIA THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Your ER Physician may recommend that you go directly to hospital admission after ER treatment and interventions.  In which case, you need to know what to expect for a smooth transition.

Approximately 15% of Emergency department patients require admission to the hospital for complete care.  This care requires examination by an on call specialty physician.

WHAT TO EXPECT:  Most if not all of your diagnostic tests will be completed in the ED after order by the ED physician.  They may need to be reviewed by a specialist prior to decision to admit or discharge. This specialist has a contracted response time to see you, typically within 30 minutes to 4 

hours of ED request.  

Your Role: be assertive in asking what the specialist response time is and when you can expect to see them. If they are late, don’t hesitate to request an updated response time. If you wait in the ED longer than 2 hours after being told you are being admitted, it is time to get assertive about getting to an inpatient room.  Evidence shows that for some patients, waiting in the ED is associated with poorer outcomes. Demand updates of when you will be moved to the appropriate level of care every 30 minutes. Do not be afraid to insist your admission care is provided by the units specially prepared to administer your care.  The ED is not appropriately designed to deliver ideal admitted patient care. hours of ED request.  

Your Role: be assertive in asking what the specialist response time is and when you can