Q. Why do some people get taken directly to a room, and some have to wait in the chairs?

A. Some patients need immediate attention because of life-threatening injuries. We need to get immediate tests and treatments started. Other patients are checked in by our Triage Nurse and placed in an appropriate room. Please be patient. Everyone is a priority.

Q. What is a Triage Nurse?

A. The Triage Nurse talks with the patient and finds out why the patient is in the emergency room, takes the patient's vital signs, and gets a medical history. The Triage Nurse can then determine the appropriate room to place the patient based on their condition.

Q. I was triaged in and then put back into the waiting chairs. Why?

A. There may be several reasons this may happen. All of our beds may be filled, or we may not have the appropriate room available.

Q. What does it matter if we have an "appropriate room"?

A. We have different types of rooms and different types of beds. We have regular treatment rooms, trauma rooms, monitored rooms for cardiac patients, OB/GYN rooms, pediatric rooms, and fast track rooms. A few examples include our OB/GYN patients need an exam table, not a stretcher. Our pediatric patients need rooms with doors, or our patients with lacerations need a room with the appropriate supplies and area for staff to work.

Q. When can my family come back?

A. Once you are placed in a room your healthcare provider will ask you if you'd like a visitor brought back. Once most of the activity has slowed, you may opt to bring back another visitor if you'd like. When the patient is a child, usually one parent goes back with the child while the other assists with registration. After registration, both parents are reunited with the child. Sometimes it gets very busy in the emergency department. Please ask the staff and we'll do our best to get you reunited as soon as possible.

Q. I was checked-in and lab work and x-rays done very quickly. Now I am just sitting around. What is taking so long?

A. We are waiting on test results. X-ray and CT scans are read by a radiologist and they send us a report. Lab work must be processed and then a report is sent. After results are available they need to be reviewed and interpreted by the physician. Our ER doctor may need to call your doctor to discuss your case and decide on the best treatment plan for you.

Q. I am hungry and thirsty. Can I have some food or drink while I wait? 

A. Please check with your nurse or doctor. There may be a medical reason why you may or may not be able to eat or drink that could delay your evaluation and/or treatment.

Q. All my tests are back, and the doctor talked with me. Can I go?

A. Not yet! After the doctor has talked with you, he or she types in your discharge instructions, and then the nurse will print them out. The nurse will go over your instructions with you and answer any questions you may have.

Q. I am being admitted to the hospital. Why is it taking so long for a bed?

A. Our Bed Control department has to assign each patient to the proper floor. Sometimes that means patients already admitted upstairs need to be moved around, patients are waiting to be discharged or a room needs to be cleaned. Please let us know if we can get you anything to make you more comfortable while you wait. We do have portable phones if you need to make a phone call.

Q. Where can I get my prescriptions filled?

A. Prescriptions written in the ER can be filled in any pharmacy. However, for your convenience, our Union Hospital Lobby Pharmacy is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. The Lobby Pharmacy can only be used to fill prescriptions upon your discharge from the ER or from the hospital. Local Pharmacies open 24 hours a day: CVS: 1320 Maple Avenue, CVS: 9th and Poplar, Walgreen Drug Stores: 1300 Wabash Ave.

Q. I can't get my prescription filled. Can you give me some samples?

A. No, unfortunately, we do not provide samples. Included in your discharge instructions are the phone numbers for three different agencies that may be able to assist you in getting your prescriptions filled. Indigent Care: 232-1264, Township Trustees: 232-5052, Lifeline: 235-8333. You can also check with our Medical Social Services Department at 238-7670. Please keep in mind that most social service agencies can only assist on one occasion. However, they may be able to refer you to other area agencies that may be able to assist you.