What to Expect From Your Emergency Room Visit
Whether or not you've been to an Emergency Department before, we want to make you as comfortable as possible while keeping you informed about all aspects of your care. Your visit may take some time, so we ask for your understanding—we will take care of you to the best of our ability as quickly as possible.
Board-Certified Emergency Physicians Available 24/7
Swedish Hospital employs board-certified emergency medicine physicians, available any hour of day or night. They provide evidence-based treatments to care for patients with urgent medical needs quickly and efficiently.
Assessed Upon Arrival
Upon arriving at our Emergency Department, a nurse will assess you to determine the severity of your condition.
- Patients with life-threatening medical conditions are treated immediately.
- Patients with less severe conditions will be seen when the next treatment area is available. In some cases, a nurse, in conjunction with the physician, may begin your care and diagnostics at triage before you are brought back to an exam room.
- Patients with minor ailments are treated in our Quick Care area.
Diagnostic Tests
Depending on the severity of your condition, you may begin receiving treatment prior to being escorted to a room. This may include diagnostic tests or therapeutic treatments. Please check with an Emergency Medicine staff member before eating or drinking, as this may delay their ability to complete some diagnostic tests.
Quick Care
Patients with conditions that can be treated swiftly may be directed into a Quick Care room, where they are evaluated, treated and then discharged with follow-up instructions.
Clean, Efficient, Private Patient Care Areas
Each patient care room is private and designed to have all of the necessary equipment for comfort, monitoring and resuscitation needs.
Before Leaving the Emergency Room
Once you have been treated in our Emergency Room, you will either be discharged with specific follow up instructions or admitted to the hospital for further observation and treatment. Once you are discharged, please take care to follow all discharge instructions, such as medication use or follow up with your primary care provider or a specialist. If you have any questions about these instructions, please ask a member of our Emergency Department staff before leaving or call your primary care provider.
