Emergency

Emergency treatment always begins with the cardinal ABCs of resuscitation—airway, breathing, and circulation. Patients with issues in any of these areas must be stabilized by the usual methods. Supplemental oxygen or endotracheal intubation (or both) should be used as needed.

Five Steps of Emergency Care

Sudden illness or injury can occur without warning, and while no one typically plans a trip to the Emergency Department, everyone should know what to expect after they arrive. The Emergency Department (ED) at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center provides urgent care to patients who have traumatic injury, major illnesses or other issues that require immediate treatment. The staff includes physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals who follow specific procedures so that you can get the care you need as quickly as possible. Following are the five steps to expect when you arrive at the St. Mary's Regional ED.

1. The Steps of Care
2. Triage
3. Registration
4. Treatment
5. Reevalution
6. Discharge

Don't Delay Care

It’s important to seek emergency care if you or someone you know has the following medical issues:

• Heart attack symptoms
• Stroke symptoms
• Infections such as pneumonia, kidney and skin infections
• Sepsis
• Problems associated with diabetes, obstructive lung disease and heart disease, and chronic medical problems
• Head injury with passing out, fainting or confusion
• Injury to neck or spine, particularly if there is loss of feeling or inability to move
• Electric shock or lightning strike
• Severe burn
• Severe chest pain or pressure
• Passing out, fainting
• Pain in the arm or jaw
• Unusual or bad headache, particularly if it started suddenly
• Suddenly not able to speak, see, walk, or move
• Suddenly weak or drooping on one side of the body
• Dizziness or weakness that does not go away
• Inhaled smoke or poisonous fumes
• Sudden confusion
• Heavy bleeding
• Possible broken bone, loss of movement, particularly if the bone is pushing through the skin
• Deep wound
• Serious burn
• Coughing or throwing up blood
• Severe pain anywhere on the body
• Severe allergic reaction with trouble breathing, swelling, hives
• High fever with headache and stiff neck
• High fever that does not get better with medicine
• Throwing up or loose stools that does not stop
• Poisoning or overdose of drug or alcohol
• Suicidal thoughts
• Seizures