Prepare for an ER Visit

Streamlining Your Visit to the Emergency Department

A visit to the emergency department is seldom a happy experience. You, or someone close to you, is probably there to receive treatment for an accident or an unexpected, serious medical event.

The following advice will help make your visit less stressful and allow CVMC to better serve you.

• Have only one or two family members or friends to accompany you to the Emergency Department. Because of the size of our waiting and treatment rooms, we request a maximum of two visitors at a time.
• Bring all of your current medications to the Emergency Department, including the dose and the frequency with which you take it. Be prepared to share with us the names of all of your doctors, as well as information about your immunization, TB and tetanus status. Please bring along your insurance information.
• Make and keep a list of your allergies to foods, airborne substances and latex. It would also be helpful to include how each of these allergies affect you. Emergency room personnel will also ask other questions about your medical history and may ask about the medical histories of your immediate family—parents and grandparents—including cause of death, and their ages at that time.
• Consider trying common-sense treatments at home before visiting the Emergency Department. For example, over-the-counter medications may lower a child’s fever.
• Try to leave children, the elderly, or those with compromised immunity at home or with friends or family members to prevent their exposure to illness.
• Do not assume you will be admitted to the medical center. Please make sure you have a ride home.
• Although cell phones are allowed in the Emergency Department, please refrain from use when medical personnel are in the room. (Note: Video and pictures are not allowed for CVMC staff and providers without their consent).
• If you are a patient waiting in the Emergency Department, please don’t eat or drink anything since this can interfere with, or postpone, your care.
• Be prepared to answer personal questions about yourself and your lifestyle. All of this information will be kept in the strictest of confidence and used only in conjunction with your care. If you do not wish to have your medical information discussed in front of your family or visitors, please inform the medical staff.
• If you have needs, please alert the Emergency Department staff. It will then be our goal and pleasure to meet your expectations in every way possible.