If you find yourself in a life or death situation and need immediate medical attention, you will be transported to a hospital's emergency room. Split-second decisions can mean the difference between life and death. When arriving at the emergency room, your first stop will be known as "triage". In triage, your situation will be evaluated and the next steps will be taken to initiate your medical care.
Arrival
Upon arrival at triage, the patient will be immediately evaluated. The intake nurse will ask what the major problems are and take down all the necessary paperwork. This includes identification cards and insurance information. At this time, a decision will be made as to the severity of the situation and how quickly the patient needs to be moved to see an emergency room doctor.
Vital Signs/Evaluation
The severity of injuries or sickness takes top priority in triage. A patient who arrives with a broken ankle may have to wait in triage while a victim of a gunshot wound in rushed back to the emergency room. Once you move past the waiting room, a nurse will take vital signs such as blood pressure and body temperature.
Diagnosis
Following the measurement of vital signs, a patient moving through triage will see an emergency room doctor. The doctor will diagnose the problem based on vital signs, patient testimony, and his or her own observations. Next, the doctor will initiate the treatment phase for the patient. For severe or life-threatening situations, surgery will be performed immediately. Less severe situations may require a simple dose of medication or a cast.
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