DID YOU KNOW?

Note: This article is the first in a series about Drew Memorial Hospital’s new Emergency Room Facility.

Drew Memorial Hospital Emergency Room Medical Director, Dr. W. W. Williams, D.O.

Subject: Emergency Services at Drew Memorial

When someone presents to Drew Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Room, our objective is to provide prompt top quality care. We evaluate and treat patients in the order that they arrive. However, we are required by federal law to complete a triage (evaluate the seriousness) of all patients. In other words, if a patient presents with a sprained ankle and another presents 30 minutes later, with chest pain suspicious for a heart attack, we must take care of the most life threatening condition first. Of course this makes good sense unless you have the sprained ankle and have already waited an hour to be seen!

Our waiting times can vary from immediate ER admission to more than an hour. Some of the factors that influence delays in service may include how many patients are being seen at one time, the intensity of care required, how many tests have to be performed and assessed, and whether or not any of those patients have to be admitted to the hospital. We keep two of our beds open for serious emergencies so that these patients can be seen immediately.

Our busiest shifts with longest waiting times are nights (after 6 p.m.) and weekends. Illness and pain are no respecters of the clock or the day of the week, and often can not wait until the family physician’s office opens.

During our busiest hours, waiting times are affected. Be aware that even though your throat is really sore and you feel awful, it is not as much of an emergency or as potentially threatening as a broken bone or chest pain, which if not treated promptly may pose a more serious health threat. We appreciate your patience with us when coming tom the ER if you experience a delay in care during these times.

We consciously work to decrease waiting time for our patients and look to find new ways to provide the rapid response for the care that patients expect when they come to the emergency room. Please voice any concerns that you may have. Your concerns help us improve the process of treating you and your family in a timely, caring, and competent manner. After all, we are “a family taking care of families”.

I would like to take this short column to address any questions or concerns you may have in future notes. You may send comments to:

Drew Memorial Hospital

Dr. Williams, Emergency Room Director

778 Scogin Drive

Monticello, AR 71655

The hospital emergency room staff is committed to providing superior emergency care that you can rely on. We stand ready to meet your emergency needs!

W. W. Williams, D.O.

Medical Director – Emergency Medicine