The Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center Department of Emergency Services provides highly skilled care in an environment that respects the need for privacy, comfort and convenience. The focus of the ED is to provide superior emergent and/or urgent care to the patient and family in a supportive environment. Our goals are to decrease patient wait times and improve patient and family satisfaction.
Saint Francis Campus ED
MAIN ED
The Saint Francis ED is a Level II Trauma Center with 38 treatment rooms, including a two-bed trauma unit and a two-bed cardiac resuscitation room. A six-bed intermediate care area and an eight-bed east wing are designated for the less acute patient. In the main ED, seriously injured patients are rapidly and carefully assessed and transferred to an appropriate level of care. As a full service ED, we are expert in the triage and treatment of serious medical problems. A behavioral health area is also part of the emergency department.
Medical Express (MEDX)
MEDX is our seven-bed rapid assessment and treatment area for non-urgent patients. MEDX is open from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. It is adjacent to the main emergency department to facilitate movement of any patient needing more intensive service.
Pediatric services are provided in several ways. Children can be seen in the MEDX area for minor problems or in the main department for more serious illnesses or injuries. Also available is a unique program for children who may require somewhat longer evaluations called Pedi EDU. After evaluation by an emergency physician, a child can be transferred to the pediatrics floor where trained pediatric staff assist in their care.
Multidisciplinary team approach
TEAM
With the guidance of the medical director, nursing director, nurse manager, an assistant medical directors, two assistant nurse managers, an education coordinator and an EMS coordinator, the ED staff work as a multidisciplinary health care team to provide quality care to patients of all ages. The ED team includes a full complement of experienced ED registered nurses (RNs), paramedics, specially trained emergency technicians, physician assistants and board certified emergency medicine physicians. Support services include radiology, laboratory, pharmacy, respiratory care, case management, crisis intervention and pastoral care. On-site consultation and expertise is provided by specialists. Referrals are made to the Saint Francis clinics if appropriate. Saint Francis’ collaborative practice model improves patient outcomes.
NURSING
Our professional RN staff practice modified primary nursing. All our RNs are specially trained ED nurses, many of whom have additional certifications in emergency nursing (CEN) and trauma (TNCC). We offer a six-month fellowship program for newly graduated nurses to be trained in emergency nursing. An education coordinator is dedicated to Emergency Services. This professional is an advanced practice RN who provides education, emergency nursing/critical care clinical expertise, and consultation for clinical issues and research.
Services
The ED provides quality care to all people seeking treatment. No patient is denied an evaluation for any reason. Innovative features include bedside registration, private treatment rooms, a comfortable waiting area and convenient parking. We offer a complete range of diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. The Saint Francis Campus has a helipad for the LIFE STAR medical helicopters.
Our emergency physicians consult with your doctor as necessary to assure that you have the best possible care. This collaboration ensures that your follow-up care is as coordinated and complete as possible. If we find that you need to be admitted to the hospital during your visit, we will work with your doctor to facilitate that process. If you do not have a doctor, we will make sure that you are admitted to an appropriate doctor and service.
Trauma
Saint Francis is proud to be an accredited as a Level II Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons. Comprehensive trauma care is provided in conjunction with the Department of Surgery.
Emergency Department Information System (EDIS)
EDIS is a computer information system that is a tracking board, departmental documentation medium and an information management tool. EDIS assists in improving patient flow from registration through discharge, thus decreasing patient wait times and improving patient satisfaction.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center provides sponsorship and medical oversight to more than 15 different prehospital care agencies. These services range from first responder agencies to advanced life support paramedics. Supported with continuing medical education and ongoing quality improvement for patient care, Saint Francis sponsored prehospital providers are prepared to deliver the best care possible. A continuity of care from the out-of-hospital setting into the Emergency Department assures that each patient’s illness or injury is managed professionally and in a timely manner.
We continuously look for ways to improve the service that we provide. Should you have any questions or concerns, please call 860-714-4001 to speak with the nursing director/manager or the medical director.
We are located on the corner of Collins and Woodland streets. The entrance for patients arriving on their own faces Woodland Street. Parking is available in the lot directly across the street from this entrance. There is someone available at the entrance to help you with access or with questions about parking.