Department of Emergency Medicine

About Us

The Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Priority is given to patients with life threatening injuries or illnesses. The department caters for patients over the age of 14 years.

Patients may arrive by ambulance or may self present. Some patients will be referred by their general practitioners. On arrival patients are asked to register so that a set of medical records can be prepared. Patients are then assessed by a triage nurse and given a priority rating which will determine the urgency with which they will be seen.

Triage

Triage is a system of prioritising patients so those in most need get seen first.

The department utilises a well researched and tested 'triage system' known as the Manchester Triage system which categorises patients into 5 different priority categories ranging from life threatening injuries and illnesses to problems of a primary care nature.

When patients have been triaged they proceed to Zone 1, 2 or 3.

Zone 1

This is a 3 bedded resuscitation area where patients with life threatening injuries and illnesses are assessed and stabilised. These bays are fully equipped with state of the art resuscitation equipment. Resuscitation is carried out according to internationally recognised Advanced Cardiac and Advanced Trauma Life Support protocols.

Zone 2

There is a 14 bay area for assessment of patients with major illnesses and injuries. Examples of problems seen in this area include chest pain, shortness of breath, headaches, abdominal pain and significant injuries. Patients are assessed by a team of doctors and may have a number of investigations performed including blood tests, x-rays and electrocardiographs. They may be referred to specialty teams for admission or may be discharged following treatment to their general practitioner.

Zone 3

Patients seen in this area are suffering from minor complaints or injuries. Following a medical examination they may be referred for x-rays or have treatment initiated directly. On occasions they will have sutures inserted in wounds or dressings applied and follow up appointments in the emergency department review clinic may be arranged if indicated. Some patients with relatively minor problems such as a wrist fracture or a finger injury may sometimes require admission to hospital for treatment.

Zone 3 consists of a 6 bay assessment unit. This unit is staffed by experienced doctors with particular skills and interest in minor injuries. A dressings clinic and review clinic is run in tandem in this area in the morning from 8 am until 10 am.

Reception

Patients are directed to the reception area on arrival. A receptionist is on duty 24 hours a day to greet the patient and collect essential registration details. Details will include particulars such as name, date of birth, address, General Practitioner, contact phone number, etc.

If the patient has previously attended St. Vincent's University Hospital, previous medical records will be retrieved so that all relevant information is available. On completion of registration, the patient will be directed to Triage.