As soon as you arrive, you will be triaged – or channeled according to your level of urgency for emergency care – by a nurse, who will ask you, or a family member, many questions about the reason for your visit. The more information you are able to share, the more efficiently we can respond to your treatment needs. The triage system guides the hospital staff in identifying patients with life or limb-threatening problems which require priority treatment.

To help us assess and treat you, please inform the triage nurse about:

• Past and current health problems
• All medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbs you are currently taking, including dosage amounts
• Allergies
• Any recent trips overseas
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Any additional medical information that you believe to be important

After seeing the triage nurse, you may be asked to wait in the waiting room for a room in the Emergency Department to become available. Although we cannot predict how long you will wait, we always do our best to minimize waiting time. During this time, you are able to contact the triage nurse with any questions you may have. If you need anything to make your wait more comfortable, such as a magazine or blanket, please let our Patient Representative know. If you, or your loved one, feel your condition has changed, please alert the triage nurse immediately.

If you are experiencing an emergency, call 9-1-1.