Emergency Department

Welcome

On behalf of our staff, we would like to welcome you to UConn Health Center’s Emergency Department. In an emergency we know you want the best care possible; we also know that a trip to the emergency department can be stressful.

At UConn Health Center, you can be confident that our staff is dedicated to providing the expert care that you expect from a university hospital — quickly and efficiently. Our team of board-certified emergency medicine physicians, highly trained nurses and medical specialists are on duty 24 hours a day, every day to meet your families urgent and emergent medical needs.

This brochure will tell you about some of the things that will happen during your visit. If you have any questions about your treatment or any aspect of your visit, please ask your doctor or nurse. We want you to understand as much as possible about your medical condition and what we are doing to take care of you.

Thank you for choosing UConn; please consider us for all your health care needs.

Kathy Lundquist, B.S.N.
Nurse Manager

Rob Fuller, M.D.
Medical Director

When You Arrive

When you arrive at the ED, you will be asked for some basic information. A nurse will see you and ask you additional questions, take your vital signs and determine the severity of your condition. Everyone who comes to our ED will be seen, regardless of insurance coverage or his or her ability to pay.

Triage

We use a process called triage to determine which patients are the sickest, and need the most immediate medical attention. For this reason, it is possible that patients who come in after you may be seen first. If there is a delay, please be aware that we know you are here and will see you as quickly as possible.

Waiting

Our staff is committed to seeing and treating all patients as quickly as possible. We will treat on a first-come, first-served basis when possible. Sometimes, many emergency patients arrive at once or a patient’s medical condition may require that he or she be seen right away. This may cause a delay in your being seen. We will do everything possible to make you comfortable while we work to provide all patients with appropriate medical attention. Please let us know if there is something you need while you wait.

Once You Are Seen

You may be asked to change into a hospital gown. We ask that you cooperate with this request so that we can take care of you as efficiently as possible. If a family member or friend accompanies you into the examination area, that person should remain with you at all times. Visitors are limited to one or two and are not permitted to wander in the ED corridors or go into another patient’s room; this helps ensure the privacy of all of our patients.

Our ED Staff

Every patient seen in the ED is assigned a nurse who will keep them informed about their care, provide medications, treatments and education.

Patients will also be assigned an attending physician (MD) who is board-certified in emergency medicine or a physician’s assistant (PA), advanced practitioner registered nurse (APRN) or resident physician (MD) under the supervision of the attending physician depending upon your medical assessment. The practitioner assigned to you is fully trained to assess your problem and control any discomfort you may be experiencing. He or she may recommend tests, treatment or bring in a specialist for consultation.

Tests

Medical tests are an essential tool in helping us understand how to help you, but they can take up to several hours to be performed, processed and analyzed. Sufficient time is essential to ensure they are done correctly.

Consultants

If your physician feels it is necessary, he or she may call in a specialist for consultation on a particular problem you may have. Your health care provider will speak with you about this decision and will work together with the specialist to make sure you have an accurate diagnosis and the most appropriate treatment. Consultants may be seeing other patients, or may be away from the hospital. They will handle your case as quickly as possible. Your doctor or nurse will advise you of any potential delay.

While You Are Here

When you are in the ED, please let us know if you have any questions about the care you are receiving or if you have any concerns.

For your convenience the following services are available:

• In our waiting area you will find restrooms, public telephones, television, and TTY. Wireless access is available in the main waiting area as well as in treatment areas.
• Food services and snack machines are located outside the ED entrance and nearby on the main floor of the hospital.
• An interfaith chapel, gift shop and additional seating are located in the lobby of the hospital.

We try to accommodate visitors, but due to privacy, space or safety issues, it may be necessary to limit visitors. This decision is at the discretion of the staff.

Please turn off all cell phones while you are in any clinical area as they may interfere with monitors or other equipment. You may use your cell phone near the entrance of the ED and in the main waiting room only.

Going Home

Once you are treated, your doctor or nurse will provide you with a plan for care at home. It is very important to follow these instructions. You should fill any prescriptions you are given right away, and use the medication as directed.

When you leave the hospital, you may need further care. You could be scheduled for follow-up visits or we may phone you the next day to check-up on your progress. A copy of your ED visit will be sent to your primary care physician at your request.

Caring doesn’t stop at the exit door; we strongly recommend you return if your condition changes or worsens. Please call us at 860-679-2588 if you have any questions after you leave.

Feedback

Ensuring good health and satisfaction are our most important goals. While you are in the ED, please notify any of our staff members should you have any questions or concerns or if there is something you need.

After your discharge, you may receive a questionnaire from the Press Ganey organization, an objective group that conducts surveys of patient satisfaction for us. Please take a few moments to fill in your responses to let us know how we are doing. Additionally, you will be given a suggestion sheet with your discharge instructions; you may write your comments and suggestions on the sheet and give it to a staff member or return it via mail. You may also e-mail any comments or suggestions to: EDQualityCare@uchc.edu.