Prepare for your care in the Emergency Department
Let's review 7 things you can do to make your visit to the Emergency Department as smooth as possible (and maybe speed it up!)
1. Bring a list of your current medications.
It’s important to bring a list of your current medications to the Emergency Department. If you can, bag up your medications and supplements and bring them with you.
2. Tell us about any known allergies.
It’s important for us to know any allergies you have before you start receiving care.
Why? Well, learning about a drug allergy as we’re about to administer it will delay your care since we need to determine, document and obtain an alternative medication that's safe for you.
3. Need to go to the bathroom? Ask for a cup to collect a urine sample.
Did you just get here and really need to go? Ask a member of the OMC care team for a cup to collect a urine sample. Urine samples provide us with a lot of useful information about your condition.
Additionally, it can delay your care later if we need to collect a sample but you can't go.
4. Talk to your care team before eating or drinking.
We know you can get hungry or thirsty while you wait, which is frustrating. But if a medical procedure or surgery is potentially part of your emergency treatment, eating food or even drinking water can significantly delay this care.
Please talk with the OMC care team about your options.
5. Tell us if there's a change in your condition.
It’s important to know about a change in your condition.
If your symptoms are getting worse or something new or concerning is happening, alert a member of the care team immediately.
6. Arrange a safe way home.
When your visit to the emergency department is done, you need a safe way home before you can leave. Please know your options.
When you have an opportunity to arrange your way home, please do so. If you don’t have options, talk to a member of the care team.
7. Talk with a member of your care team before leaving.
You might be feeling better after taking pain medication or you’ve received a test result. Maybe you're simply tired of waiting.
You have every right to leave, but please talk with a member of your care team before heading out.
They have important information regarding your care that you need to know.
If you're visiting the Olympic Medical Center emergency department, please know we appreciate your patience and understanding, and thank you for letting us be a partner in your care.