-
Directory map at the front of the hospital adjacent
to the roundabout
-
Kiosk (EFTPOS available)No auto teller
-
Vending machines for refreshments are available
in the emergency department
-
Public phones
-
Parking Visitors parking near main reception.
-
Disabled parking at the side of the Ambulance
parking
-
Visitors parking located at the bottom of the
hill
What
happens when I arrive?
When you arrive you
will be triaged which means that before you see a doctor,
you will see a number
of other staff who will establish how sick you are and
collect personal information.
Triage or reception
nurse?
One of the first people
you will see is the triage nurse. Triage means "to sort".
The nurse will sort
patients according to the severity of their illness or injury.
This will ensure that
the sickest patients are treated by doctors first.
If your condition gets
worse you should tell the triage nurse immediately.
Clerical staff
Clerical or non clinical
staff are responsible for registering vital information
regarding your identity.
They also deal with issues relating to any charges that
you may incur as a
result of your visit. They will:
· uniquely identify
you
· establish
your Medicare status
· record your
contact details
· establish
contact details for your local treating doctor, and
· record contact
details for your work if it is a work related problem.
What happens when I
see a doctor?
Once inside the Emergency
Department you will be looked after by different
nursing staff and
doctors. You may have to wait if you have to have an X-ray
or other tests or
require a specialist to see you. If you don't have to be
admitted you will
be sent home or other arrangements will be made for your
care if necessary.
Many treatments can
now be undertaken at home or through outpatient
facilities. This may
be arranged with the support from the hospital or
community based teams
and in conjunction with your local doctor. Thus you
may not be admitted
to the hospital.
Hospital
Emergency department triage
The triage system is a universally recognised
system for prioritising people who need prompt medical care. When you arrive
at a hospital Emergency Department a triage Nurse will decide how urgent
your need is.
|
TRIAGE CATEGORY 1
|
RESUSCITATION
(CRITICAL):
Life threatening condition which may result
from a motor vehicle accident, cardiac arrest or major burns |
|
TRIAGE CATEGORY 2
|
EMERGENCY (SERIOUS):
Could be life threatening and requires prompt
attention such as heart attack, chest pain or stroke |
|
TRIAGE CATEGORY 3
|
URGENT (STABLE):
Wounds lacerations or abdominal pain |
|
TRIAGE CATEGORY 4
|
"SEMI URGENT (SATISFACTORY):"
Walking wounded such as broken arms or cuts |
|
TRIAGE CATEGORY 5
|
NON URGENT:
Long standing problem or illness such as a cough
or a cold |
