Emergency Care
Emergencies happen and when they do, Riverside wants to be the best part of your worst day. Our goal is to practice exceptional emergency medicine in a caring, reassuring and efficient setting.
When you have an injury or pain that isn't an obvious emergency, it can be can be difficult to decide if you should go to the emergency room. Whether or not you go depends on several factors including which joint is injured or how much pain you are in. To help you determine if you should go to the hospital, click on the joint to see emergency symptoms.
What to bring to the emergency room
If you have determined that you need to go to the emergency room, taking the things on this list can make your visit easier.
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List of all current medications including "over the counter" drugs, herbal remedies and supplements
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List of dosages, when they are taken and the last dose taken
- Primary care physician's name
- List of known allergies and medication reactions
- List of surgeries
- List of medical conditions
- Telephone numbers of family, friends or next of kin
- Pharmacy name, telephone number and location
- Social security card
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Insurance card
What to expect
When arriving at the emergency room, we will assess or "triage" the severity of your condition. Usually, you will be seen by a triage nurse who will check your
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Vital signs.
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Medical complaints—what has brought you to the ER.
- Past medical information.
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Any allergies.
If you have an urgent medical condition, the triage nurse will ensure that you are seen promptly.
Family and friends
There is a comfortable waiting room for your family members. Depending on how busy the ER is and what treatment you need, you may have a person stay with you in the treatment room.
Registration
After triage, you will be taken to a private treatment room. An administrative staff member will complete the registration process including getting your consent for medical treatment.
Diagnosis and treatment
Your emergency team will consist of:
- An emergency medicine doctor
- A registered nurse with specialized emergency training
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One or more lab or other technicians
Your doctor will:
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Review your medical history
- Perform an exam or evaluation
- Order tests, if needed
- Make a diagnosis
- Begin treatment
- Consult with other specialists or your family doctor (if you have one)
After treatment, a decision is made to admit whether to admit you to the hospital or send you home with instructions for follow up care.
Patient discharge
When you are discharged from the Emergency Room, your doctor or nurse will give you any prescriptions and review with you a set of written instructions. If you get home and have any questions or concerns, please call the Emergency Room at 594-2050.
If you are admitted to the hospital
If you are admitted to the hospital, our goal is to move you to a hospital room as quickly as possible so that you are more comfortable.
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