Arrival at the Emergency Department

• Upon arrival to the Emergency Department you will need to sign in with the Triage Nurse (the Triage Nurse is a Registered Nurse who will talk with you about your medical complaint). The nurse will also take your vital signs and list any medications that you are taking.
   
• After the triage process you will either be taken immediately to the treatment area or directed to the registration window depending on the severity of your illness or injury.
   
• When registration is complete, you will be directed to have a seat in the ED waiting area or directed to the Rural Health Clinic where some minor emergencies are treated. If you were taken to the treatment area before registering, a clerk will come to your room or a family member will be allowed to take care of the registration process. Patients left in the waiting room are not always called to the treatment area in the order that they are registered. The order is based on the severity and type of each patient's illness or injury.
  

All of our patients are important to us and will be treated as soon as possible.

Medical Treatment

• The physician or practitioner that examines you may need to order additional tests before recommending treatment.
   
• Laboratory and Respiratory Therapy Department personnel will come to the Emergency Department to perform tests or obtain blood samples.
   
• Imaging tests such as x-rays, CT scans, or Ultrasound require that you be transported to the Radiology Department.
   
• The Emergency Department will be notified as soon as test results are available. The time needed to obtain results varies, depending on the type of tests ordered, and the number of patients already scheduled in the other departments. Any extended delays should be discussed with your physician and nurse.
  

Admission from the Emergency Department

• The Emergency Department physician will review all imaging and laboratory reports. The doctor will then contact your personal physician. If you do not have a personal physician, the doctor on call will assume responsibility for your care.
   
• The registration clerk will call for bed placement. If a private room is desired or medically necessary, one will be assigned if available.
   
• The Emergency Department nurse will complete the admission process and give the needed information to the receiving nurse on the assigned floor.
   
• Emergency Department personnel will transport you to the receiving floor. There will be times that the hospital will have a very high number of patients and newly admitted patients may need to remain in the Emergency Department until a bed becomes available. Your care will not be compromised and treatments, medications and meals will be given as ordered.
  

Visitors' Policy
  Bluefield Regional Emergency Department Policy mandates that only one visitor per patient be allowed in the treatment room. This policy is in place to assist us in giving prompt care. Patients who are admitted to the hospital and require a family member to stay overnight will need to obtain a visitor's pass from the Security Officer.