In Case of Emergency: The Lifesaving Triage Process

No one ever anticipates a trip to the emergency room, but if you do find yourself in an Emergency Department (ED), the lifesaving triage process ensures you are in good hands.

Executive Medical Director and physician at EvergreenHealth Emergency Department, Kevin Hanson, MD, helps explain what you can expect from your care and how the triage process really works.

When to Use the Emergency Department

Emergency care is for life threatening medical emergencies that require immediate medical attention. Head to the emergency department or call 911 if someone is experiencing:

• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Signs of stroke
• Head injuries or trauma
• Severe bleeding
• Loss of vision
• Severe burns
• Broken bones

EvergreenHealth offers three convenient 24/7 emergency room locations in Redmond, Kirkland and Monroe.

For minor aches, pains, cuts, bruises and flu symptoms, you can visit one our convenient Urgent Cares or talk with a provider virtually.

What to Expect from an ED Visit

When you arrive in the emergency department, you will be immediately examined by a triage nurse. "'What's their medical condition today? What are their vital signs?' Those are some of the questions we'd ask," says Dr. Hanson. "You may think that it's first come, first served in an emergency department, but we really need to take the sickest patients first, which is why the triage process is put into place right when you arrive."

If you were to call 9-1-1 instead of coming directly to the ED, the process is slightly different. "If you call 9-1-1, most likely the fire department and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will arrive to assess you and perform the triage process themselves," says Dr. Hanson. "If the patient ends up getting transferred to a local emergency department, the EMS team is already communicating with a doctor or nurse in the ED about the patient."

Prepare for the Unexpected

While you don't always anticipate an ED visit, there are ways you can prepare ahead of time that will make the process easier.

1. Know your medical history. What diseases and conditions run in your family? For your doctor, the answers to that question can be a significant part of your care. Read The Importance of Family Health History to help you map out the most important information.
2. Write down your allergies and medications. "It's surprising how many times we see patients and we ask them what medications they take for their high blood pressure, and they say, 'the little white pill' twice a day,'" states Dr. Hanson. "While that is good to know, is that little white pill a blood pressure medicine or is it a blood thinner? The answer will immensely change the workup and how we evaluate your condition."
3. Have your emergency contact somewhere so staff can contact them. If you are having an emergency, you may not be able to speak or move, so having this information readily available will make the process easier.

Did you know you can add your medical ID to your iPhone's lock screen?

Where Should You Keep Emergency Information? teaches you about the number of places and tools you should consider using to keep emergency information handy for first responders or hospital staff.

EvergreenHealth Emergency Care in Redmond, Kirkland and Monroe is open 24/7 to serve you and your family.